BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Action speaks louder than words?
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya joined the 55th birthday celebration of mayoralty candidate Alfredo “Albee” Benitez on December 20 at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City.
Gasataya, however, appeared to be evasive when asked if his presence at the birthday party of Benitez is already a sign that he is joining the Team Asenso of the former solon.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is seeking for his third term as mayor of Bacolod City, earlier tagged the declaration of neutrality of former ally Gasataya as a sham and political deception.
Gasataya said Benitez has been doing a lot of things in service to many people in Bacolod.
Benitez earlier said that Gasataya will be accepted with “open arms” should he decide to join their team.
At the end of the program of birthday celebration, Gasataya joined Benitez and his Team Asenso on stage.
Benitez, on the other hand, said he is still waiting a final decision from the PDP-Laban regarding the presidential candidate they will support in the May 2022 elections.
But he admitted that most of the presidential candidates are his friends.
As to the vice presidential bet, Benitez said PDP-Laban is leaning towards Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.*