Honorable Loreto V. Leones

Loreto “Lito” Visperas Leones is the son of the late Roberto Baliton Leones and Pilar Degano Visperas Leones, originally from Bani, Pangasinan, Philippines. Lito was born on May 22, 1955. He is the second eldest of five brothers and one sister. He migrated to Guam with his siblings to join their parents on February 1971, and the family have been residing in the village of Yigo since then. The Leones family’s emigration from the Philippines to Guam was made possible through the sponsorship of his late maternal uncle Tomas Degano Visperas and his late wife, Maria Talavera Flores Visperas. Lito was naturalized United States citizen on July 2, 1976.

Lito is married to Merle Calicdan Catabay Leones, and they have three children: Robert, married to Darsy Cayanan Leones; Divina Gracia, married to the late Renie Mendoza Tumanda; and Erwin, married to Jayrose Roqueno Leones. He is the proud grandfather of granddaughters Charilyn, Sharnae Lyn, Isabella, and Kamilah Rose and grandsons Devin Paul, Earvin Jay, Eben Marlee, and Barren Levi.

Before migrating to Guam, Lito graduated from Cape Bolinao High School in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines in 1970. Joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina in September 1977 and was honorably discharged in December 1977. His work experiences include Laborer for Carpet Corner (1973-1975), Bagger for Pay-Less Supermarkets of Guam (1972-1973), Warehouseman/Delivery Man for Townhouse Furniture (1972-1976), as a Self- Employed Taxi Driver (1976-1982), Warehouseman and Driver for Ace Hardware (1982-1984), as an Iron Worker for Black Construction Corporation (1986-1988), and as Warehouse Worker/Materials Handler for the Receiving Section of the Defense Commissary Agency at U.S. Naval Station Guam from October 1988 until he retired in May 2015.

Lito is an active member of the Yigo Municipal Planning Council, having served from January 1997 to December 2004 and from February 2013 until present. He has volunteered with numerous community projects as a member of the Yigo Municipal Planning Committee.

He actively participates as a member of the Bolinao-Bani Association of Guam, a non-profit/membership benefit organization since January 1989 to present. He served as Board of Director (1992-1993, 1998-2003, 2006-2009, 2012-present); Area Representative (1989, 1994-1995, 2004-2005); Public Relations Officer (1996-1997); First Vice President in 1991; and Sergeant-at-Arms in 1990. As a member of the BBAG, Lito volunteered to maintain the park adopted by the Association. He is also a member of the Pangasinan Community of Guam and served as Board of Director in 2003 to 2004.

During the time his daughter, Divina, was teaching at Daniel L. Perez Elementary School and Machananao Elementary School, he volunteered to assist in the preparation of the opening of the school year.

Lito is excited and is looking forward to work with Mayor-Elect Anthony Sanchez for the betterment of our community, for the people of Yigo. Lito’s work experiences and community involvement will aid him in his best efforts to serve in his new capacity as Vice Mayor-Elect.