Battle royale for Bacolod’s mayoralty post

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The “battle royale” for the mayoralty seat of this city will definitely happen in the May 2022 polls after the two main protagonists filed their respective Certificates of Candidacy together with their slates.

Former Negros Occidental 3rd district congressman Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez filed his COC Tuesday, Oct 5, 2021.

Benitez will challenge incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia who filed his COC Wednesday.

Benitez dubbed his line up as a unity ticket while Leonardia dubbed his slate as a “perfect combination.”

Benitez said he organized a unity ticket, as he wanted to come up with a diversity of candidates that would represent the future of Bacolod City.

Of the 12 councilor aspirants in his lineup, Benitez said six of them are members of the PDP-Laban, two from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, one each from Lakas-CMD and Promdi, while he described the two others as “feisty independent candidates.”

The Asenso for Better Bacolod unity ticket is composed of former Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito (vice mayoralty bet of Benitez), Celia Flor, Sonia Verdeflor, Simple Distrito, Pao Sy, Patrick Leonard Lacson, Homer Bais, Thaddy Sayson, Al Victor Espino, Vladimer Gonzales, Bart Orola, Jason Villarosa, and Kalaw Puentevella.

Grupo Progreso of incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia is composed of incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is seeking re-election, and re-electionist councilors Carl Lopez, Israel Salang, Cindy Rojas, Dindo Ramos, Archie Baribar, and Renecito Novero; city administrator Em Ang, Marlon Solidum, Jonathan Diaz, Cash Montalvo, and Dr. Chris Sorongon.

Leonardia said that while Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya declared his neutrality in the mayoral race, the latter is still included in their campaign materials.

Benitez earlier said he will also support Gasataya.

As of this writing, Gasataya remains unopposed.