• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The long wait is finally over.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez formally announced yesterday a switch of positions, between him and Rep. Greg Gasataya, who is on his third term as Bacolod Lone District representative.
Benitez, accompanied by the vice mayoral candidate of his team, Councilor Jesus Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella, filed his Certificate of Candidacy for congressman of Bacolod City. Both were joined by Gasataya, who filed his COC as mayor of Bacolod.
Several hours later, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran filed his COC for mayor of Bacolod, with Councilor Renecito Novero as his running mate. Both were joined by Negros Occidental 3rd district caretaker, Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano.
Former Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was among the first to file his COC, will face Benitez in the Bacolod congressional race.
In the 2022 elections, Benitez and Leonardia contested the Bacolod mayoral race, which the former won.
Asked why he decided to choose Gasataya as his successor, Benitez said he is the best person to continue what he started in Bacolod, adding that “we were partners ever since, way before he became the vice mayor, and we were already collaborating.”
He described Gasataya as somebody that can continue the change he has started, somebody that can be trusted 100 percent, that can deliver and be able to continue what he has started, without any doubt, conflict or differences.
As to running for a congressional post, Benitez admitted that he may not be able to perform the task of bringing Bacolod City to a much higher level if he is just a mayor.
It would be better for the people, the mayor added, if he would be much closer to the national scene, which can contribute more to the development of Bacolod City.
Gasataya thanked Mayor Benitez and the Asenso Bacolod Team for giving him a rare opportunity to run as mayor of Bacolod City.
He added that Mayor Benitez will not leave Bacolod City.
“If you are a team player, you have to play different roles, but with a common objective, to do everything that we can, to make Bacolod a super city,” the solon said.*
