Bacolod Opposition Councilor Vows to Collaborate, Unite

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The lone opposition councilor in the Bacolod City Council said he is ready to cooperate, compromise and collaborate with his colleagues.

Councilor-elect Atty. Wilson Gamboa Jr. was the only winner outside the 16-0 slate of Team Asenso, led by Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya.

It was nearly a clean sweep for Team Asenso, but Gamboa, a returning councilor who ran under Team El Cid, secured the No. 9 spot out of 12.

Team Asenso’s Councilor Vladi Gonzales, seeking a second term, was bumped down to No. 13, falling behind party mate Councilor Al Victor Espino, who was initially projected to lose after Iglesia ni Cristo excluded him from its endorsement list.

Instead, INC supported Gamboa.

The final result was a 15-1 victory for Team Asenso, with Greg Gasataya elected mayor, Albee Benitez elected representative, and Kalaw Puentevella elected vice mayor.

The rest of the 11 councilors-elect are: Atty. Caesar Distrito, Israel Salanga, Thaddy Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Em Ang, Dindo Ramos, Pao Sy, Homer Bais and Al Victor Espino.

In a weekend statement, Gamboa said he would not hesitate to call out discrepancies or inefficiencies but remains committed to collaboration and compromise for the public good.

He said he follows the principle of his late father, former Assemblyman and SRA Administrator Wilson Gamboa Sr., who believed in being “one with the people and not above the people.”

“This is service for everyone—not just those who voted for me or my party,” Gamboa said.

“I ran not only for my supporters, but for the whole of Bacolod.”

“No Bacolodnon, barangay or community will be left out,” he added.

In 2019, Gamboa was also the sole opposition survivor during the near-sweep victory of Grupo Progreso under then-Mayor Evelio Leonardia, completing his three terms as councilor.

In 2022, he ran for vice mayor but lost to then-incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.

Earlier, Team Asenso issued a joint statement calling for unity after the elections.

“Now that the elections have concluded, we believe it is time to set aside political divisions and focus on the work that truly matters: serving the people,” the statement said.

“Our call today is clear—let us unite as one Bacolod.”

The statement also recognized the contributions of former Mayor Bing Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilor Renecito Novero as part of Bacolod’s history.

“In democracy, leadership changes, but love for our city must always remain constant,” it said.

Team Asenso called for reconciliation and urged every Bacolodnon, regardless of political affiliation, to join in uplifting communities and bringing lasting development to the city.

It added that while challenges lie ahead, unity, respect and collective effort can overcome them.

“Let us move forward with one purpose: to create a Bacolod that provides hope, opportunity and a better life for all,” the group said.