Wong seeks fresh mayoral term
SAN SIMON - Acting Mayor Leonora Wong is seeking to sustain her leadership in this town as she filed her certificate of candidacy for the local chief executive post on Wednesday afternoon.
Wong served as mayor of this town from 2010 to 2019, and was seated as acting mayor from November 2020 to January 2021, and again from July 2021 until January 2022 following the suspension of incumbent Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr.
Despite her nearly 10 years of service as the town's mayor, Wong said she is seeking another term to realize the bigger dreams she have for San Simon and its people.
"Kaya ako bumabalik sa pagka-alkalde ay para sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin, dahil gusto kong suklian ang pagmamahal nila ng maganda at malinis na public service. Alam ko na ineexpect nila na gagawin ko ulit ang mga nagawa ko na noon, at siyempre mas dadagdagan ko pa," she sai d.
In the coming 2022 polls, Wong is seen to be in for a five-way match between Punsalan, incumbent Councilor and currently acting Vice Mayor Honorato "Keko" Almario, and neophytes Joel "Jojo" Villanueva and Bong Garcia.
Asked how she is preparing for the said match, the lady official said: "Ang preparation ko ay 11 years ago pa, iyong maganda, malinis at tapat na serbisyo na nagawa ko na simula nung pumasok ako sa pulitika."
She added: "At kami ng mga kasama ko ay hindi nahihiya na lumakad at kumampanya dahil hindi kami nagkasala at naparusahan ng batas sa aming panunungkulan."
Wong also assured Simonians that she is fully capable of leading anew her municipality despite her current health condition, a testament of which are the programs currently across the country who also vowed to back Go's candidacy in their area.
Among Go's supporters are Eastern Samar's Ben Evardone, Northern's Samar Edwin Ong, Western Samar's Michael Tan, Leyte's Dominic Petilla, Southern Leyte's Damian Mercado, Biliran's Roger Espina, Quirino's Dax Cua, Basilan's Jim S Hataman Salliman, Palawan's Jose Alvarez, Siquijor's Zaldy Villa, Lanao del Norte's Imelda Dimaporo, Camarines Norte's Edgar Tallado, Camarines Sur's Migz Villafuerte, Romblon's Jose Riano, and Agusan del Norte's Dale Corvera.
Also manifesting suppport are Cotabato's Nancy Catamco, Bohol's Arthur Yap, Zamboanga Sibugay's Wilter Palma, Benguet's Melchor Diclas, Zamboanga del Norte's Roberto Uy, Cebu's Gwen Garcia, Negros Oriental's Noel Degamo, Camiguin's Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Marinduque's Presby Velasco, Abra's Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Batangas' Hernilando Mandanas, Oriental Mindoro's Bonz Dolor, Albay's Al Francis Bichara, Aklan's Joven Miraflores, Surigao del Sur's Ayik Pimentel, Zamboanga del Sur's Vic Yu, Sulu's Sakor Tan, Catanduanes' Joseph Cua, and Surigao del Norte's Frank Matugas.
The provincial leaders have cited his wide and valuable insights on and has had to confront problems relating to both local and national governance, which he gained as long-time close aide to then Davao City mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte, as reason for their support on Go.
"Such experience has prepared him adequately for elective public office - as senator and hopefully as vice president. Having come from the ranks of local public servants, we have no doubt that Bong Go understands the issues we face 24/ 7 in our respective provinces," they noted in the letter of manifestation.
They also noted of the institutionalization of Malasakit Center through Republic Act No. 11463 which Go was principal author.
Go also spearheaded the establishment of 138 Malasakit Centers in the country even prior to his election as senator, and was then the closest aide of Duterte.
They said Malasakit Centers, which is a one-stop shop for medical and financial assistance, made affordable healthcare accessible to Filipinos as beneficiaries have to go to just one office instead of laboriously seeking help from one agency to another.
"With our support, if he is elected vice president, Bong Go promises to continue President Duterte’s programs, particularly his campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption. These are some of the problems we continue to face as local officials, despite the administration’s gains in stamping out such nefarious activities," the governors further noted.
Go is also promising to pursue the President’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program, which hastens economic development and provides jobs and incomes to our people in the country.