ILOILO – Backed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Pavia’s Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Jo Jan Paul “JP” Peñol has emerged as a strong contender for the presidency of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Iloilo chapter in the election tomorrow, September 12.
Peñol said the governor’s endorsement is a “pivotal boost” to his candidacy, projecting a united front for progressive local governance.
“With our legislations, ordinances and resolutions, we aim nga ang mga programa, proyekto, kag serbisyo nga ihatag naton sa aton pamuluyo makapaayo sa ila tagsa-tagsa nga kabuhi. We have action and plan and we want to deliver results,” Peñol stressed.
His six-point platform includes development for all (sports programs and legislative advancement programs), accountable leadership (online portal for financial reports), bridging communities (partnerships with NGAs and CSOs), empowerment through education, service above self (standardized accountability reports), and transformative governance (digital repository of ordinances and resolutions).
“I firmly believe that we are not competitors in the very first place, so kinahanglan, we are stewards of each other,” Peñol said, urging councilors to avoid rivalries. “Instead of competing against each other, we will share our ideas paagi sa mga ordinance nga napasaran naton nga pwede man maka-benefit sa pihak nga banwa… development should not be confined in a limited place, but the development should be shared by all.”
The PCL Iloilo chapter represents 433 councilors from 42 municipalities and Passi City, making its leadership race highly significant. Peñol leads the slate “Team Da best PCL Iloilo,” which he described as a coalition of independent councilors from different towns.
“Excellence is the standard of this group,” he said.
His slate includes Christy Love Custodio-Margarico of Guimbal (vice president), Nonito “Jay-Ar” Pasuelo of Pototan (secretary general), Kristine “Baby Tin” Zerrudo-Valencia of Sara (treasurer), Andres “Maoy” Bedro of Balasan (auditor), and Ramon Andrei Pantin of Passi City (business manager).
The board members are Rodolfo “Junjun” Alconga (Oton), Jeffrey Araneta (New Lucena), Adrian Camposagrado (Tigbauan), Genesis Diesto (Ajuy), Joseph Allen Españo (Leganes), Jasmine Golez-Ocampo (Dumangas), Donnabelle Mendoza (Pototan), and Ramon “Noynoy” Rojas (Ajuy).
Peñol will be facing New Lucena SB member Liecel Mondejar-Seville for president but stressed he does not see her as an opponent.
“We share a good relationship,” he said, adding that his father hails from New Lucena./PN
