By virtue of "Republic Act 8985", an act converting the municipality of Valencia in the province of Bukidnon into a component City known as the City of Valencia on January 12, 2001. In 2001 elections, Jose Galario, Jr., former Chief of Police of the city was elected as City Mayor; while the son of then Mayor, Absalon Catarata and former Vice Mayor Afrodisia Catarata was also elected as the city's vice mayor in the person of Leandro Jose Catarata. During the 2004 local elections, both the incumbent mayor and vice mayor run for the position of city mayor. Jose Galario, Jr. emerged as the winning candidate together with Benjamin Verano as vice mayor.