Thousands of councilors throw support behind Manong Chavit

Thousands of city councilors from across the country gave their stamp of approval on Tuesday after listening to senatorial candidate Luis “Manong Chavit” Singson, who outlined his key platforms at the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Year-End National Assembly held at the World Trade Center.

Among the standout initiatives Singson discussed was his revolutionary VBank initiative, a digital financial program, that aims to provide interest-free loans to Filipinos struggling to access traditional financial services.

“I am the only one crazy enough to give loans without interest,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to helping those in need.

Singson, a former PCL president, also presented his vision for VBank which he believes will empower Filipinos financially.

Manong Chavit, No. 58 on the Senate ballot, explained that VBank is not just about providing loans, but about offering a helping hand to those facing financial barriers in their daily lives.

Singson, a former PCL president, also presented his vision for VBank which he believes will empower Filipinos financially.

“Everyone will have a bank account and free credit cards for our people. This is VBank,” he said, highlighting the platform’s role in making banking services more accessible, particularly to ordinary Filipinos and those living in remote areas who often lack access to traditional financial institutions.

To give the councilors a firsthand look at VBank’s capabilities, Singson conducted a live demonstration by transferring nominal funds to volunteer attendees.

In a playful moment, he humorously excluded those using GCash, his direct competitor, from receiving the transfer, sparking laughter and camaraderie among the crowd.

Singson, who served as the governor of Ilocos Sur for several years, shared his journey of transforming his province.

“As a governor in my province, I turned my province from poor and violent to peaceful and prosperous,” he proudly declared, underscoring his leadership track record in fostering growth and stability.

In addition to VBank, Singson also emphasized his advocacy for electric vehicles (EVs) as a solution to reduce pollution and promote sustainable transportation.

His environmental platform resonated with many local leaders in attendance, many of whom see the potential of EVs in addressing the country’s environmental challenges.

The assembly also saw the participation of prominent leaders, including PCL national chairman Raul Corro, PCL national president Handy Lao and assistant secretary Jesi Howard Lanete of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Their presence underscored the importance of cooperation between national and local leaders to achieve meaningful progress in the Philippines.

"I'm happy to see you all here again," Singson remarked, acknowledging the continued support of the councilors, many of whom had worked closely with him during his tenure as the PCL president.