ILOILO – As the term of outgoing League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Iloilo chapter president Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez ends, all eyes are now on who will succeed her — and Badiangan’s Mayor Suzette Mamon has emerged as the leading contender.
Mamon, currently the league’s vice president, received an endorsement from Guimbal’s Mayor Richard Garin during the LMP-Iloilo despedida held on June 19 for outgoing officers and local chief executives.
“All I ask,” said Garin, “is that she remembers me when she assumes the post.”
No other mayor has so far expressed intension to run for LMP-Iloilo president.
Garin is perceived to hold sway over other mayors in the seven-town 1st District (Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan).
The LMP-Iloilo election is traditionally held in August, and with Fernandez — who is now vice mayor-elect of San Enrique — stepping down, attention has shifted to Mamon, who has expressed willingness to serve if chosen by her fellow mayors.
“If I am allowed and favored to be elected by my fellow local chief executives, I will willingly serve the LMP-Iloilo,” said Mamon. “Of course, with the support of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Cong. Jojo Ang (Uswag Ilonggo party-list), Cong. Ferjenel Biron (4th District), (former) Cong. Mike Gorriceta, and other representatives from the 1st and 5th districts.”
Known for her amiable relations with fellow mayors and her active participation in LMP affairs regardless of her position, Mamon said she wants to focus on strengthening the capabilities of Iloilo’s local executives.
“We have to do more capacity building with our mayors — especially now that we have newly minted LCEs,” Mamon emphasized. “Even us re-elected mayors need to upscale our service delivery. It can no longer be just ministerial or routine. The demands of public service have evolved.”
If elected, Mamon aims to steer the LMP-Iloilo Chapter toward more collaborative and progressive engagements, pushing for inclusive growth not only for individual municipalities but for the province as a whole.
“The LMP-Iloilo Chapter should be a venue for partnership, linkages, and collaboration so we can achieve progress together,” she added./PN
