Robredo joins Mayors for Good Governance

MANILA, Philippines — Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has formally joined the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), a group of local chief executives advocating for transparency and accountability in government.

The M4GG, whose convenors include Mayors Benjie Magalong of Baguio, Vico Sotto of Pasig, Joy Belmonte of Quezon City and Sitti Hataman of Isabela City in Basilan, announced the first batch of its new members for the current 2025 to 2028 term.

“Being a member of M4GG is not just an honor or a mere ‘badge of recognition.’ It is a profound responsibility. It represents a pledge to serve with the highest integrity and to stand firmly for the welfare of your constituents,” the group’s statement read in Filipino.

“It is a duty that calls for putting transparency, innovation and accountability at the forefront of every decision and action,” it added.

All new members will begin as observers, described as a “period to fully understand and engage with the vision of M4GG.”

To become a full-fledged member, the chief executives must attend at least three official activities of the organization.

“Through this, we can ensure that every member is an active partner in building a more prosperous and brighter Philippines,” the M4GG said.

Robredo, who began her first term as Naga City mayor this year, earlier expressed her willingness to join the group and support its call for transparency and accountability, including in the issue of alleged anomalous flood control projects.

She met separately with Magalong and Belmonte during her visit to Metro Manila last week.

Aside from Robredo, among the 51 new members of M4GG include Mayors Wes Gatchalian of Valenzuela, Raisa Treñas of Iloilo City, Susan Yap of Tarlac City and Abelardo Bantug III of Victorias City in Negros Occidental.

At least 70 members of the M4GG, including “alumni” or former mayors who were among the founding members, recently signed a manifesto demanding full transparency, accountability and justice on flood control projects.

Three new members have so far signed the statement as well: Robredo, Gatchalian and Mayor Chris Evert Tadeo-Leynes of Umingan, Pangasinan.

Commitment to good governance

Now on his second mayoral term, Gatchalian – who became a member of M4GG on Aug. 30 – has launched programs on education, social welfare, peace and order, housing, disaster preparedness and flood resilience, among others, for what he calls “Pamilyang Valenzuelano.”

Under his leadership, Valenzuela has received the Seal of Good Local Governance for two consecutive years and consistently obtained unmodified opinions from the Commission on Audit, which the city government said was proof of transparency and accountability in its financial management.

In 2024, Valenzuela’s child protection program was named among the outstanding local governance programs by the Galing Pook Awards.

“Good governance is not a trend in Valenzuela – it has been our way of life for years. M4GG is a chance to bring the same fight for accountability and transparency to the national stage,” Gatchalian said. –  Mark Ernest Villeza