ILOILO – Winning the presidency of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) – Iloilo chapter, Pavia’s Sangguniang Bayan member Jo Jan Paul “JP” Peñol is the new voice of over 400 councilors in Iloilo Province.
This victory also automatically gives him a seat as an ex-officio member of the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
“Matapos ang election, gin proclaim kita sang DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), kag nag-take oath kita. I was informed by our SP Secretariat, by Tuesday, they are inviting me to attend the SP session,” Peñol said.
He is keen on heading the SP Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters, and Inter-Government Relations, which plays a central role in harmonizing local ordinances with national laws while fostering cooperation across government levels.
Peñol credited his rise to the PCL presidency to the track record of Pavia’s local legislation.
“Wala man kita kuntani sang plano nga magpadalagan sa PCL apang madamo sang konsehal halin sa nagakalain-lain nga banwa naga-benchmark sa banwa sang Pavia… For the past three years, nakadihon kita masobra 100 ka ordinansa sa banwa sang Pavia, proof man ina sang aton nga dedikasyon,” he explained.
Before Friday last week’s election, Peñol personally visited all 42 municipalities and Passi City to meet councilors, present his platform, and secure their support.
“Naglibot kita sa bilog nga probinsiya sang Iloilo… kag nakighinun-anon kita sa ila, nagpamangkot kita sa ila kon ano gusto nila sa Philippine Councilors League,” he said.
Peñol vowed to be “a president for everybody,” regardless of who supported him.
“Ang gintan-aw naton diri ang kabuhi sang aton pamuluyo, paagi sang pag-enact sa mga meaningful nga legislation,” he said.
He outlined his six-point platform dubbed “DABEST”: Development for all, Accountable leadership, Bridging communities, Empowerment through education, Service above self, and Transformative governance./PN
