• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
“Bacolod needs real change, and that change will be delivered by our next mayor, El Cid Familiaran,” Abang Lingkod Patylist Rep. Stephen Paduano said yesterday during an interview after a press conference held by Team El Cid in Bacolod City.
Paduano said it took him three months to convince Bacolod mayoralty candidate El Cid Familiaran to run for mayor. He has integrity and no record of corruption.
He said he is standing on his real principles which is against corruption. This is the same cause being bannered by Team El Cid.
Paduano said he wants real change to happen in Bacolod. He recalled that he and his leaders have campaigned for Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to be the next mayor. But he is reiterating his previous statement during his birthday that “My association or affiliation with anyone, even with my partymate, my alliance…even my family or boss ends if the interest of my people or even my leaders is being threatened or affected.” The Bacolodnons and his leaders are affected by what is happening in Bacolod City right now.
He assured the family of Benitez that in this election, he will not campaign against him. But he cannot campaign for the mayor nor endorse him, he said.
Paduano said the original Asenso group is with him and Familiaran. So he is appealing to the public to give Familiaran a chance to serve as mayor of Bacolod. He wants to make sure that real change will happen in the city.
“If Familiaran is elected mayor, I will be actively participating in the affairs of the city without any compensation,” he said. When his term as congressman ends he will not be running for office anymore because by June 30 he already has several job offers waiting, be added.*
