SAN SIMON No conflict.
Mayor Abundio “JP” Punsalan Jr. and Vice Mayor Romanoel “Dading” Santos denied reports tht they are at odds with each other.
Punsalan and Santos went live on Facebook Monday to dispel rumors of dispute among the town officials.
Reports of disagreement between the two top officials came after the Sangguniang Bayan led by Santos passed Ordinance No. 003-2023 requiring manufacturers of steel bars in the town to modernize production to minimize pollution.
Punsalan was yet to act on the said ordinance as of Tuesday morning expressing worry that the steel plants will cease operation and cost jobs to residents and tax revenues to the local government.
The mayor has until February 10 to approve, veto or let it lapse into law.
In the Facebook live, Santos dismissed rumors that he will fight Punsalan in the 2025 mayoralty race.
“Ang pagkakaisa po namin sa panunungkulan ay hindi mawawala. Nagsimula kami ng magkasama at tatapusin namin ‘yun ng magkasama pa rin,” he said.
Punsalan, for his part, urged their detractors to focus their attention in helping the local government bring progress to the town.
“Ang pag-unlad po ng bayan ang asikasuhin natin. Ang executive at legislative ay iisa lang po ang gusto at ‘yun ay ang umunlad ang bayan ng San Simon,” he said.
The two top officials were joined by the town’s barangay chairmen to express their support to the tandem’s vision for San Simon.