Benitez, Gasataya Swap Posts in Bacolod Victory

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Incumbent Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Rep. Greg Gasataya secured fresh mandates in the May 2025 elections, swapping posts and defeating their respective rivals.

Benitez, now congressman-elect of Bacolod’s lone district, was proclaimed alongside Mayor-elect Gasataya by the City Board of Canvassers on Tuesday, May 13, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall in the Bacolod City Government Center.

Benitez garnered 164,145 votes, defeating former mayor and congressman Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, who ran as an independent and received 119,431 votes — a margin of 44,714.

Other congressional candidates included Roger Abanid, Ed Gulmatico and Romy Gustilo.

Benitez, who served one term as mayor, had previously unseated Leonardia in the 2022 mayoral race.

“I am deeply humbled by the trust you have given me once again,” Benitez wrote on Facebook hours after his proclamation.

He vowed to carry the same commitment from City Hall to Congress, pledging to uplift lives, push for reforms and fight for what Bacolod deserves.

“The work continues — and I am ready,” he said.

Gasataya, who served as Bacolod’s representative since 2016, won the mayoralty with 157,150 votes, outpacing incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who got 143,307.

Both were once allies under Leonardia’s political camp.

“Thank you for trusting me to continue serving this city,” Gasataya posted on social media, promising inclusive and hopeful leadership.

Familiaran conceded ahead of the official proclamation, thanked supporters and urged unity under the new administration.

“Democracy is bigger than any election,” he said.

Councilor Claudio Jesus “Kalaw” Puentevella won the vice mayoral race with 146,639 votes, defeating fellow Councilor Renecito Novero, who received 133,706.

All three top posts were won by candidates under Benitez’s Team Asenso.

In the city council race, Singcang-Airport Barangay Chairman Caesar Distrito led the pack with 153,377 votes.

He was followed by Israel Salanga (149,906), Em Ang (146,548), Jude Thaddeus Sayson (144,827), Jason Villarosa (137,623), Celia Flor (122,669), Dindo Ramos (121,382), Bobby Rojas (121,233), Wilson Gamboa Jr. (120,784), Pao Sy (119,610), Homer Bais (118,957) and Al Victor Espino (113,441).

Most winning councilors ran under Team Asenso, with only Gamboa running as an independent.

Reelectionists included Salanga, Ang, Sayson, Villarosa, Flor, Sy and Espino.

Returning councilors were Distrito, Rojas, Ramos, Gamboa and Bais.

The official canvassing ended at 3:20 a.m., with an 86.94 percent voter turnout — 309,413 of 355,880 registered voters casting their ballots across 398 clustered precincts.