City dads come out to push ‘Gonzalez for mayor’ bid
Barangay captains in four out of six districts in Iloilo City have now come out with a collective stance – endorse Chief Presidential Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. as the city’s next mayor.
Never too early to talk politics, the city barangay captains decided, with manifesto and pledges of support issued.
Yesterday heard the pronouncement of Barangay San Agustin Punong Barangay Roberto “Bobby D” Divinagracia, president of the Association of Barangay Captains in the city proper district.
“All 45 barangay captains in the Iloilo City Proper District pledged their support for the mayoral candidacy of Secretary Gonzalez Sr. We believe he is the right man for the job to lead us and continue the progress and development started by Mayor Jerry Treñas,” Divinagracia said. “The barangay captains are grateful for the support given by Secretary Gonzalez in all our projects.”
Similar sentiments are expected to come out from barangay captains in the districts of Mandurriao, Lapuz and Jaro.
To note, first to come out with the “Gonzalez for Mayor” bid were barangay captains in the district of Molo led by Barangay Captain Reyland Hervias. Hervias is the ABC president of Molo and Punong Barangay of Compania Central.
One of the signatories in the Molo Manifesto was Punong Barangay Jerry Mabilog of Barangay Tap-oc, brother of Vice Mayor Jed and himself, an expected candidate for mayor.
Punong Barangay Hervias in a phone interview said only the Punong Barangay of West Habog-Habog failed to sign. This, he explained, was because of his absence when the meeting was called and the manifesto pushed.
Molo has a total of 25 barangays and all 24 other Punong Barangays here gave the Gonzalez-approval.
The News Today (TNT) gathered that the endorsements were specific on its intent. One was entitled “Resolution endorsing Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. as the next mayor of Iloilo City” while another was “Manifesto of Support for Secretary Gonzalez Sr. for Mayor of Iloilo City.”
“WHEREAS, Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. has recently relinquished his post at the Justice Department to become Presidential Legal Adviser;
WHEREAS, such a position allows Sec. Gonzalez Sr., more time to attend to the needs of his family as well as his constituents here in Iloilo City;
WHEREAS, for many years Sec. Gonzalez Sr., has ably and proudly represented the Ilonggo Nation at the House of Representatives where he served for three terms and ultimately became Deputy Speaker and later as an outspoken member of the cabinet and one of the closest advisers to the President of the Republic;
WHEREAS, Sec. Gonzalez Sr. has enjoyed such an illustrious and distinguished career as an astute legislator, a tireless executive, and dedicated public servant thus eliciting the pride and gratitude of the Ilonggo people;
WHEREAS, over the course of this brilliant career, Sec. Gonzalez Sr., has also amassed a wealth of wisdom and experience which is the very essence of a strong and capable leader;
WHEREAS, in sum, we find in Sec. Raul Gonzalez Sr., all the personal characteristics vital and ideal to lead the City of Iloilo towards our goal of continuing growth and development for our communities as well as enduring harmony and unity among all our people;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it hereby unanimously resolved, to endorse Sec. Raul Gonzalez Sr. to become the next city mayor of Iloilo City,” excerpts of one manifesto went.
The Lapuz District move was pushed by Barangay Don Esteban Reynaldo Brito while the Mandurriao move was led by Oñate de Leon Punong Barangay Quirico Mendoza Jr.