Fil-Am elected mayor of Bellflower, California

A Filipino-American has been elected mayor of Bellflower City in Los Angeles County in Southern California.

Sonny Santa Ines was unanimously elected by fellow city council members on Monday night, according to a report on Los Angeles Wave.

The 60-year-old former financial and administrative officer was elected to the city council in 2011. His term in the council will expire in 2015.

According to the website of Bellflower City, San Ines was born in the Philippines where he graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine School of Business Administration (BS Accounting).

Among his past appointments are commissioner, Bellflower Planning Commission; member, Bellflower Town Center Design Review Committee; member, Bellflower Unified School District Citizens' Task Force; and member, Bellflower High School Site Council.

The Los Angeles Wave report said Santa Ines' father also held a city council position in the Philippines, but did not elaborate.

“I was raised on public service,” Santa Ines said in the report. — KBK/JL, GMA News

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