SAN Simon Acting Mayor Leonora Wong is seeking to sustain her leadership in this town as she filed her certificate of candidacy for the local chief executive post on Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021.
Wong served as mayor of San Simon town from 2010 to 2019, and was seated as acting mayor from November 2020 to January 2021, and again from July 2021 until January 2022 following the suspension of incumbent Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr.
Despite her nearly 10 years of service as the town’s mayor, Wong said she is seeking another term to realize the bigger dreams she has for San Simon and its people.
“Kaya ako bumabalik sa pagka-alkalde ay para sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin, dahil gusto kong suklian ang pagmamahal nila ng maganda at malinis na public service. Alam ko na ineexpect nila na gagawin ko ulit ang mga nagawa ko na noon, at siyempre mas dadagdagan ko pa,” she said.
In the coming 2022 polls, Wong is seen to be in for a five-way match between Punsalan, incumbent Councilor and currently acting Vice Mayor Honorato “Keko” Almario, and neophytes Joel “Jojo” Villanueva and Bong Garcia.
When asked how she is preparing for the said match, the official said: “Ang preparation ko ay 11 years ago pa, iyong maganda, malinis at tapat na serbisyo na nagawa ko na simula nung pumasok ako sa pulitika.”
She added: “At kami ng mga kasama ko ay hindi nahihiya na lumakad at kumampanya dahil hindi kami nagkasala at naparusahan ng batas sa aming panunungkulan.”
Wong also assured Simonians that she is fully capable of leading anew her municipality despite her current health condition, a testament of which are the programs currently implemented by the local government, particularly in the Covid-19 response.
Meanwhile, Wong’s runningmate Rommel Bondoc said he is also seeking a comeback “to make sure that the Sangguniang Bayan is functioning as a legislative body.”
Also backed by his father, former Mayor Manuel “Maning” Bondoc, Rommel said he also wants to renew the programs initiated by his father.
“Being the mayor of San Simon from 1988 to 1998, isa si Tatang Maning Bondoc sa nanguna sa pagtatrabaho para maibangon ang San Simon pagkatapos ng Martial Law at bilang panganay niyang anak, gusto kong proteksyunan at ituloy ang kanyang mga naging programa,” Rommel said.
Aside from Wong and Rommel, the Kambilan slate in this town is also composed of eight aspiring councilors coming from different sectors of the community.
This includes Enix Salvador who is advocating for good governance; Irene Bagtas and Jon Salvador, who both want to assist needy Simonian students on their education; and Ryan Viray who wants to provide free funeral service to indigent Simonians.
Also gunning for council seats are Jap Cruz who wants to establish “Botika sa Barangay”; Dave Dungo who is promoting youth development through sports; Banong Cariño who wants to advance workers’ rights, and Armando Garcia who vowed to ensure the health of every indigent Simonian.