MAMBUSAO, Capiz – The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has made official its backing of Mayor Leodegario “Jun” Labao Jr. as candidate for congressman of Capiz’s 2nd District.
Recognized as the strongest contender, Mayor Jun got the easy nod of party stalwarts with his years of local leadership earning him the moniker “Mr. Good Governance.”
Days after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC), Labao and the PDP-Laban headquarters here received offers from scores of volunteers.
“We are overwhelmed by the immediate expressions and offers of support,” a party official told Panay News. “These bolster our confidence that Mayor Jun, our ‘Mr. Good Governance’, is indeed the right man, the best man for the job.”
Asked why the mayor is seen as perfect fit to be “Congressman Labao,” another party source said, “He is a leader and a builder. Bangud inspirasyon sia sa masa. Bangud produkto sia sang pagbakas kag paghimakas (Because he is an inspiration to the people and a product of hard work and dedication). He is a true example of upward social mobility by sheer courage, sacrifice and determination.”
True to his being “Mr. Good Governance,” no less than the Commission on Audit (COA) affirmed the sound fiscal management of the local government of Mambusao. In the latest COA report, state auditors disclosed major findings on the “ZERO” suspension, disallowance or charges of the Labao administration.
“The total audit suspension, disallowances and charges found in the audit of various transactions of the agency as of Dec. 31, 2020 is P0.00 based on the Notice of Suspension (NS), Notice of Disallowance (ND) Notice of Charges (NC) issued by the Commission,” read excerpts of the COA report.
Similar favorable findings on the Labao administration’s full compliance of government taxes withheld salaries and wages of its officials and employees. The same full compliance withheld taxes on purchases of supplies and materials and on payments to contractors.
“The municipality consistently deducted and withheld taxes. These taxes were remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue on a regular basis,” the COA reported. “On the other hand, contributions for GSIS (Government Service Insurance System), HDMF (Home Development Mutual Fund) and PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.) were remitted within the prescribed period.”
“We are pleased to transmit the report on the results of audit on the accounts and operations of the Municipal Government of Mambusao, Capiz… pursuant to Section 2, Article IX-D of the Philippine Constitution and Section 43(2) of Presidential Decree No. 1445, otherwise known as the “Government Auditing Code of the Philippines,” COA supervising state auditor wrote, stressing that such was “in line with the Commission’s efforts towards informing Management on how fiscal responsibility has been discharged.”
Mayor Jun has since expressed readiness to extend his brand of leadership and good governance throughout Capiz’s 2nd District. As such, consultations are ready on “projects for the people” in the towns of Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Sapian, Sigma, Tapaz and his hometown.
Team Labao also has in place a network of professionals in and out of government. This, in line with the mayor’s desires for projects “that must be inclusive and responsive.”
The “People’s Mayor” is known to prioritize projects “that are felt and useful to the locals,” thus the growing sentiment, “Labao Para Sa Tanan (Labao for all).”
Mambusao under the Labao leadership has consistent surplus. In 2020, COA validated over P9.1 million compared to previous year in both General Fund and the Special Education Fund (SEF). There was also over P15.6 million in total revenues compared to 2019 fiscal operations.
“Our audit was conducted in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs) and we believe that it provided reasonable basis for the results of the audit,” the COA added.
Panay News sources said the “Labao for Congressman” sentiments have been warmly welcomed by the 2nd District. In fact, volunteers for Labao began to organize in the barangay level outside Mambusao even before his COC was filed.
“Mr. Good Governance is our answer for real progress for the 2nd District,” a known businessman here shared. “We are confident that he will get us through the pandemic. He is our rightful leader that will help us heal and recover from the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) to our businesses.”
Other than the business sector, cross-section of religious groups also manifested support to Labao’s candidacy.
Meantime, members of the youth sector, women’s groups and barangay workers are reportedly also working now for the Labao victory. Insiders said these local supporters are the ones initiating contacts with other towns in the district.
“That is the power of the Labao brand of service,” one college student shared. “Ang matuod-tuod amo nga hapos gid si Mayor palapitan (The truth is that the Mayor is so accessible.) That makes a lot of difference as to who we should put in Congress to be our voice.”/PN
