Three senators to swear in top city officials on July 1

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Three senators are expected to join the inauguration of the Grupo Progreso candidates at the Bacolod City Government Center, on Monday, July 1,2019 at the SMX Convention Center here 5:30 p.m.

Senators Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Franklin Drilon will arrive on Monday, according to a press statement from the City Hall.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III will swear in re-elected Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia; Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri will swear in re-elected Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya; while Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will administer the oath of re-elected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.

Sotto is a long-time friend of Leonardia. The Senate president is the godfather of the mayor’s daughter, Loren Kara, who was baptized in 1991 when Sotto was vice mayor of Quezon City and president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, and Leonardia was No. 1 councilor of Bacolod.

The three top Bacolod officials all belong to Grupo Progreso.

Of the 12 winning councilors, 11 are also from Grupo Progreso: Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Al Victor Espino, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, and Elmer Sy.

The 12th councilor is Wilson Gamboa Jr. from the rival AAB-MKK.