ROXAS City – Mayor Leodegario Labao Jr. of Mambusao, Capiz said he won’t be running for governor in the 2019 midterm elections.
Labao announced this after meeting Capiz governor Antonio “Tony” del Rosario last week at the capitol to give the him an invitation for an oath-taking ceremony of newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Mambusao today.
“Indi na madayon akon plano nga magpadalagan gobernador. I will definitely seek reelection as mayor of Mambusao,” Labao said.
In February, Labao said he will join the gubernatorial race next year, opposing the incumbent del Rosario.
Labao fielded his plan in the wake of his feud with del Rosario, rooting from his statement criticizing the latter over the “mismanagement” of the Mambusao District Hospital, which is under the provincial government.
Del Rosario at the time said, “Basi gusto niya magpasikat. Kon gusto ni Labao, hatag na lang siya financial assistance sa hospital.”
The governor also said Labao “lacks understanding” of the Local Government Code.
But during last Thursday’s meeting, Del Rosario received Labao in his office in a “very cordial way,” a source who requested anonymity told this reporter.
“Wala man kami may gin–awayan ni Nong Tony halin sang una. Ang akon gin hambal nagligad parte sa Mambusao District Hospital, issue lang to,” Labao said. “Ginhatag ko lang ang akon imbitasyon para sa oath-taking sang mga bag-o napilian nga mga barangay kag SK officials sang Mambusao.”
Labao also denied that reports that Rep. Fredenil Castro (Capiz, 2nd District) was behind the meeting.
“Wala kahibalo si Cong. Castro sa amon nga meeting kag wala man niya ako ginhambalan nga makipag-meeting kay Nong Tony,” Labao said./PN
