Councilor Emily R. Ladera-Facunla, whose entry to public service was inspired by her late brother, the slain human rights crusader, former city councilor Abel Ladera, has made a resounding comeback after garnering the second highest number of votes in the May 2019 elections. Earlier, she was a member of the City Council, wherein she had completed the maximum of three terms from 2007 to 2016.
Now on her first term in the 8th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Councilor Ladera-Facunla is the chairman of the committees of Human Rights and Social Justice, Urban Poor, and Market, Slaughterhouse, and Other Economic Enterprises.
Also fondly called Councilor Emy, she is known to be an unwavering defender of human rights, especially of the poor and marginalized sectors who, she noted, “are all entitled to fair treatment, equal respect, and dignity.”
Her legislative efforts gave fruition to the establishment of the Urban Poor Affairs Office, the protection of the rights of vendors under the Tarlac City Omnibus Market Code, the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, Regulation of Franchises of Tricycles for Hire, and Free Check-up on Reproductive Health, among others.
The lady councilor was also the author of key ordinances, 1) Providing free annual pap smear test for indigent women of Tarlac City aged 30 and above; 2) Adopting and implementing the provisions of R.A. 9344, specifically on the prescribed Local Juvenile Intervention and Diversion Programs, 3) Posting of Employees Rights by all business establishments in their bulletin boards or in any conspicuous place within their company premises, and co-author of an ordinance 4) Requiring owners of business establishments, including PEZA-registered and construction firms in Tarlac City to have at least 60 percent of their employees to be residents of Tarlac City adopted in 2008; and the principal sponsor of an ordinance 5) Strengthening the Operationalization of Freedom of Information and providing for a mechanism for the disclosure of public records in Tarlac City.
Councilor Ladera, who grew up in Barangay Balete, started her career in public service in 2001 as a Sangguniang Panlungsod staff at the office of her brother Councilor Abel. She is a graduate of B.S. Business Administration at the University of the East, major in Accounting.
During a break in her legislative work from 2016 to 2018, she was one of the consultants at the political affairs under the Office of Gov. Susan A. Yap.
She is married to Max Facunla and has four children: Kristine Gayle, John Carlo, Eleanna Fatima, and Amiel Louise.