• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilor Renecito Novero filed their certificates of candidacy for mayor and vice mayor of Bacolod City, respectively, before the Commission on Elections yesterday.
Joining their team are returning councilors Archie Baribar, Ann Marie Palermo, and Wilson Gamboa Jr., as well as Barangay Captains Jose Maria Leandro Norberto De Leon of Vista Alegre, Yolanda Noble of Pahanocoy, and Teodoro Yulo of Brgy. 34, former barangay capt. Ernesto Yap Jr. of Brgy. 32, Christian Weber of Amlig Tubig, and Ken Paolo Gilo representing the youth sector.
Familiaran said their team is composed of individuals of high moral and ethical standards, with unblemished character, and have good performance as public servants. They also have alliances with other candidates who represent other sectors.
He said they decided to run for the 2025 local elections to provide Bacolod a better alternative.
Familiaran also disclosed that his campaign manager is Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Paduano and that they have supporters from both the camps of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and former mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Meanwhile, Novero, who served as vice mayor of Bacolod from 2004 to 2007, said that when Familiaran decided to run for mayor he needed a partner to manage the city. He is chairman and Familiaran is vice chairman, respectively, of the Board of Trustees of their church. So he (Familiaran) knows his integrity and methodology of management.
Novero said the management of Familaran of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for three consecutive terms has been excellent. So he needs someone to continue this. And because their vision for Bacolod jives, “I joined him for a better management of the city and the SP.”
Asked about their chances of winning against the incumbent administration candidates, Novero said they have trust in the judgment and capacity of Bacolodnons to filter their choices of candidates.
“I believe that because of their experiences and vision on how the city should be managed, they will be more intelligent, more responsible, and I hope they will be more dignified in their choices,” he said.
Novero said he believes that money will once again flood during the elections while they don’t have resources. However, he believes there will be change in Bacolod. “I have faith this will come to pass and that we will see the evidence in the elections.”
“I appeal to Bacolodnons to look at our families, our children and the future of our city. I believe you will know how to choose based on character, attitude, system of management of the city in your choice of candidates,” he added.*
