• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod mayoralty candidate El Cid Familiaran endorsed the candidacy of congressional candidate Evelio Leonardia during the RMN Town Hall Forum in Bacolod City Monday that was moderated by RMN station manager Jeony Bigay.
Familiaran was Leonardia’s former running mate in the previous election under Grupo Progreso.
When asked by Bigay who would he want to support for congressman – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez or Leonardia, a former mayor and congressman of Bacolod City, Familiaran replied “Of course the person sitting in front of me,” referring to Leonardia, who was seated in the audience.
When asked to explain his choice, Familiaran said he believes “Leonardia’s presence shows that he is supporting me and that he believes in my capacity to lead the city.”
Familiaran pointed out that he did not invite Leonardia to attend the forum.
Asked for his reaction, Leonardia, in a separate interview, said “res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself).”
“The mere fact that I am here is more than concrete evidence that I am for El Cid. I believe in his performance, integrity, and character,” Leonardia said. He added that the late US president Jimmy Carter said that character is important in the presidency. In Bacolod, character is also important in the mayoralty. So we should choose someone we could rely on.
Leonardia said “El Cid is up to the principle that if you are his friend, he will stand by you. And knowing the two (mayoralty candidates) personally and politically, I believe that El Cid is the better choice.”*
