• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s priority is to deliver his commitments of projects to Bacolod made during the last election, before his term ends, and solve the pressing problems currently experienced by all Bacolodnons like the water crisis, El Niño and the coming of La Niña, and not his political plans for 2025, as the filing of Certificate of Candidacy is still on October.
This was the statement issued yesterday by Benitez’s spokesperson, Singcang Barangay Captain and former Bacolod councilor Caesar Distrito, to reports that the mayor is allegedly hesitant to seek re-election.
Distrito said Benitez had already made a statement on his five options – seek reelection, switch with Rep. Greg Gasataya and run for congressman, run for senator, accept a cabinet position, or to stay away from politics. And his decision will be based on a single consideration – he will decide as to what is best for his beloved City of Bacolod.
To say that he is not inclined to seek re-election is not correct. It is still part of his consideration. It is in fact his main consideration being the incumbent mayor, the spokesperson said.
The mayor just did not give his categorical answer because he had earlier given his answers on what five options he plans to take, Distrito said.
His silence is his way of expressing his frustrations with how things were going in the city government as he is very eager to implement all the good things he wants for Bacolod. He wants to see the projects and programs of his administration implemented immediately, but these are being hampered by so much bureaucracy, delays due to lack of cooperation of some people, the mayor’s spokesperson added.
Admittedly he (Benitez) is frustrated with the way local government bureaucracy is working considering his corporate background, Distrito said.
A program and project can be successful and efficient only through the full cooperation of the people tasked to implement it, he said.
“Mayor Albee said that the change he advocates involves a change of mindset, of doing something beyond what your function requires. Of being accountable. He still had to see them come into fruition at this point in time,” Distrito added.*
