THE Guintu family seeks continuity in their service as outgoing Mayor Danilo Guintu's older brother is eyeing the local chief executive post of Masantol town, Pampanga.
Businessman Aguinaldo "Homer" Guintu officially filed his certificate of candidacy for the mayoral post on Tuesday afternoon, October 5, 2021.
Incumbent mayor Danilo, meanwhile, is set to bring his leadership to the Sangguniang Bayan as he filed his candidacy for the vice-mayoral post on the same day.
Although a neophyte in politics, Homer said he is not new to public service as he has been Danilo's partner in many projects aimed at helping needy Masantoleños.
"Sa sarili kong kapasidad bilang businessman, nakakatulong ako sa aking mga kababayan dito sa Masantol. Bago ang pandemic, mahigit 1,000 na kababayan ko rito ang nabigyan ng trabaho sa ilalim ng aking mga negosyo at nung dumating ang pandemic at napilitan magsara ang ilang negosyo, siniguro ko na may makakain pa rin ang kanilang pamilya sa tulong ng aking mga ayuda," he said.
Homer, who is in the construction industry, said he also spearheaded the building of the Golden Residences resettlement center that provided housing to thousands of residents here.
If elected, Homer said he wants to provide more housing to needy Masantoleños, particularly those who are constantly affected by the perennial flooding.
"Isa sa mga adbokasiya ko ay mabigyan ng disenteng tahanan ang aking mga kababayan. Kung papalarin, gusto kong magtayo ng bagong komunidad na ligtas at hindi masyadong bahain," he said.
Homer also vowed to "continue, increase and improve" the programs and projects initiated by his younger brother during his nine-year mayoral term.
Danilo, for his part, said he wants to strengthen the programs he initiated as mayor through legislative works.
"Nakita natin iyong mga kailangan programa habang tayo ay nasa executive department, at ngayon gusto natin itong patatagin para mas maramdaman ng bawat Masantoleño hanggang sa mga susunod na henerasyon ang mga magagandang programa," he said.
Among the legislative measures eyed by Guintu, through the help of would-be councilors, are programs for flood mitigation, education, agriculture and livelihood.
Aside from the Guintu brothers, eight aspiring councilors namely incumbent Vice Mayor Boboy Lacap, reelectionist Buday Guintu, Bobot Viray, Botong Sunga, Bajun Lacap, Toy Viray and newbies Marco Manansala and Ruby Manansala have also filed their certificates of candidacy.
The slate is running under the local Kambilan party, which is headed by Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda.