“Let the people of Pasay be the judge,” was the oft quoted battle cry of Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” B. Trinidad during the dark days of the forced takeover of City Hall by his political opponents. His foes may not have realized it then, but Pasayeños were hurting and waiting-- waiting for the right time to pass judgment.

     Almost a year later, the people have spoken and their verdict was swift and decisive-- sweet victory and complete vindication for Mayor Trinidad and his team in the 2007 elections; resounding defeat, humiliation, and a harsh lesson in political survival for the “pretenders to the throne.”

     No one could blame Mayor Trinidad for savoring every second of his new mandate, for the road to city hall this time around was not as smooth as in previous years. His opponents tried everything in their power to stop him. The air was thick with black propaganda. Many names--- knowingly or unknowingly--- were dragged into the fray. They threw everything at him-- including the proverbial kitchen sink in the form of cheap gimmicks and tricks.

     They sued him several times over, blocked his path and hosed him down when he tried to peacefully reclaim his elected position. When it became apparent that his foes were doomed in the polls, they tried to have him disqualified from running. That didn’t work, so they tried other tactics, each one dirtier than the last.

     His opponents, no doubt, were toasting each other for their impending success when Mayor Trinidad took a turn for the worse and spent 21 days in ICU—seemingly already lost, even to his loved ones.

     But The Fates won’t have him yet.

Atty. Trinidad –“Mayor Peewee” to young and old alike, is the epitome of a real survivor, and he survived this latest political and personal crisis to once more raise his hands in triumph, much to the chagrin of those who thought he was out of the fight.

     Mayor Peewee Trinidad is back in city hall, not with a vengeance, but with a new found purpose—to better serve his beloved Pasayeños, the same ones he salutes every day as “the ultimate judge of leadership.”

     Mayor Trinidad’s brand of leadership and public service is best illustrated by his vision for Pasay City: “A scenic premier city thriving with business and economic opportunities guided by dynamic and efficient local leadership and home to self-reliant, healthy and morally upright people.”

     To turn vision into reality, he has worked tirelessly to implement the following as part of the Pasay City Development Thrust: Maximize tourism potentials; enhance the city’s image; promote multi-sectoral partnership; upgrade infrastructure and utility system; support business and commercial activities; promote welfare of city’s residents; raise the level of LGU services and increase the LGU revenue.

     Pasay City is indeed poised to recapture its old glory with Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad back at the helm. His track record as a public servant covers 20 years -- 4 years as Councilor, 6 years as Vice-Mayor in the ‘80s, another 6 years as Vice-Mayor in the ‘90s, and 4 years as Mayor during the split terms of President Estrada and President Arroyo.

At present, he is the Spokesperson of the Metro Manila Mayors’ League and Vice-Chairman of the Metro Manila Regional Development Council.

     Mayor Trinidad is essentially a public school product. The first two years of his education was at the De La Salle College and then at P. Burgos Elementary School in Pasay City. He went to the University of the Philippines (UP) for High School. He took his Liberal Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees also from the University of the Philippines (UP).

     He became a member of the Philippine Bar immediately after. He again enrolled for his third degree from the College of Business Administration of the University of the Philippines (UP). As a working student, he also took other courses, seminars and workshops at the Ateneo Graduate School of Economics and Business Administration in Padre Faura.

     As a local legislator, his track record is first class, authoring landmark ordinances such as the creation of a Housing Board, the Disaster Coordinating Council and Rescue Team, the Traffic Code, the Tricycle Code and many others.

     In a recall initiative, Atty. Trinidad was vindicated from the questionable results of the previous elections, beating his opponents, including the incumbent mayor by 25,000 votes.

     Mayor Trinidad immediately buckled down to work and cleared Libertad St. of sidewalk vendors, drawing praise for his show of political will. He ensured effective delivery of basic services to constituents and taxpayers, thus restoring trust and confidence in the city government. He instituted reform, infused professionalism and integrity in the work place and made government employees proud of their job once more.

     His determination for good governance and zeal for unadulterated public service prove that he is not the usual traditional politician (“trapo”). He’s a Hall of Fame awardee of the Consumers Union of the Philippines (CUP) as Most Outstanding Mayor and Public Servant having won the award for five consecutive years. He was also cited by the Regional Trial Court Judges of Pasay City as a local chief executive par excellance.

     Mayor Trinidad’s agenda has grown to seven-- Health, Education, Housing, Employment, Peace and Order, Good Governance and Environment, with poverty alleviation for Pasayeños as the common denominator.

     Health services comprise 23% of the city’s total budget. The commitment of the city government to deliver excellent health service is manifested in the set-up of 13 health centers, 12 of which are Sentrong Sigla awardees. This is the most number of national awards ever given to a single city by the Department of Health (DOH) for outstanding health facilities with quality health services.

     This distinction made Pasay City first choice as a pilot area for Philhealth Plus, a socialized medi-care system pioneered during the time of President Estrada and launched at the Astrodome. Pasay City has around 19,000 card-bearing members in its Philhealth Plus Program.

     Philhealth Plus and the Bayanihan Banking Program of the city have both won Galing Pook awards, given by a foundation composed of men and women from various professions.

     Pasay City won the most outstanding local government practice award twice --in 2002 and 2003. For its impact on poverty alleviation, the Bayanihan Banking Program was later endorsed by Sec. Joey Lina for replication in other local government units.

     In the area of education, he has caused the building of 120 schoolrooms, gyms, computer rooms, laboratories, H.E. rooms, offices, etc., in over 34 public schools. New high schools built are the Kalayaan National High School and the Pasay City Science High School. Pasay City also has a Special Education (SPED) Center for special children.

     The drive against prostitution and lewd shows is relentless, resulting to the closure of more than 80 establishments. Mayor Trinidad has shrugged off the demolition job orchestrated by newsmen preying on these joints.

     The Derham Park was spruced up and a part was turned into a memorial for Manuel Colayco, Pasay City’s WWII hero. The Pasay City Sports Complex was renovated and a 25 x 25 meter indoor swimming pool is now a favorite of children and adults alike.

     He is looking ahead into the future, and putting in place modern edifices that would serve generations of Pasayeños yet to come and at the same time put a check on urban blight. This urban renewal program also aims to protect the environment and to preserve, maintain and continue to develop places and structures that are of historical significance.

     Truly, Mayor Trinidad is working harder than ever to turn vision into reality for his beloved Pasay City.