Local executives belonging to different political parties Sunday expressed support for Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate.

In a manifesto, local officials, composed of governors, mayors, vice mayors and councilors of various provinces, said they share with Binay his advocacy for a progressive and dynamic country through empowerment of local governments.

“We strongly believe in Binay’s ability and genuine desire to lead the Philippines forward, as shown by his experience and track record as a local chief executive,” they said, citing the UNO bet's advocacies for local governments. These include devolving functions from national to local governments and a more equitable distribution to local government units (LGU) of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and Special Education Fund (SEF),” the leaders said in a manifesto, pledging their full and unwavering support regardless of their respective party affiliations for Binay, These officials join over 130 local executives who had earlier expressed their support for the UNO candidate.

They also support Binay's call for the establishment of a common Local Government Development Fund from which resources may be granted to localities in need of funding, and official recognition of barangay officials as bonafide government employees, enabling them to avail themselves of all benefits.

Meanwhile, Binay welcomed the endorsement from his fellow local executives. “I am really overwhelmed with the support they are giving, and I am glad to know that we are in the same line of thinking that empowering our local governments will lead to a more progressive country.” (with a report by Czarina Nicole Ong)