Press Release
November 29, 2009

Senatorial bet Mon-Mon Mitra, Makati Vice-Mayor Mercado
take oath as NP

The bemedalled former marine officer and third son of former Speaker Ramon Mitra, Ramon "Mon-Mon" Mitra, is officially included in the senatorial slate of the Nacionalista Party headed by Sen. Manny Villar.

Mitra, a 1988 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy who served as captain in the Philippine Marine Corps, is a recipient of the country's second highest award for gallantry, the Distinguished Conduct Star.

He took oath as a Nacionalista at the Laurel House in Mandaluyong City, which came four days after the swearing in of former labor undersecretary and overseas Filipino worker champion Susan "Toots" Ople also as NP's senatorial bet. Mitra and Ople join Sen. Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos, Medal of Valor awardee Col. Ariel Querubin, Atty. Adel Tamano, and Atty. Gwen Pimentel in the senatorial line-up of NP.

"The Nacionalista Party is fortified by the entry of our worthy and accomplished leaders who choose to join our crusade against poverty in the country as our most important goal," said Villar, who himself arose from poverty.

At 45, Mitra is backed by an extensive experience in administration and operations management acquired from over 18 years experience in the military, private business and family-owned corporations, particularly in the fields of information technology, transportation, and agri-business.

Meantime, also joining the Villar-led NP were Makati Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who will run for mayor of Makati, and his slate, taking oath at the Laurel House. His running mate for vice-mayor will be Atty. Chito Salud, while Louie Locsin, wife of Makati Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin, and Ernesto Aspillaga are eyeing the Congressional seats of Makati's first and second districts respectively.

Mercado, a geodetic engineer by profession, played a key role in the development of Makati in the early 1990s, heading the city council committee on urban development and environmental protection.

Chosen as most outstanding Makati councilor in 1997, Mercado is credited for authoring the establishment of the Pamantasan ng Makati, now the University of Makati, along with recreation facilities and health centers. He was eventually elected vice mayor in 2001, and was reelected in 2004 and in 2007.

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