Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano denied any politics were involved in the Christmas and New Year gathering hosted by his party-list at the Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel over the weekend, which extended invitations to top barangay officials across Negros Occidental, along with current and former local elected officials.

Paduano insisted the event is an annual gathering and claimed it is “too early” to discuss 2019.

Among those reportedly in attendance included Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, along with Bacolod City Councilors Ricardo Tan and Claudio Jesus ‘Kalaw’ Puentevella; also said to be at the gathering were former Bacolod City Mayors Monico Puentevella and Luzviminda Valdez, and former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

Around 1,400 attended the event, including 35 Bacolod City barangay captains.

Meanwhile, the partylist representative said he has yet to decide if he would seek a different position in the upcoming elections. Beyond the possibility of seeking re-election to his current post, Paduano has also been considered a possible candidate for Bacolod City mayor and Bacolod lone district representative./DGB, WDJ