Rumors surfaced earlier this year regarding 2019 run

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

During the mass oath-taking for Bacolod City barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, which took place last week at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano revealed he is considering running for Bacolod City mayor.

He also noted his intentions to transfer his voter’s registration to Bacolod City.

Rumors surfaced earlier this year suggesting Paduano would run for mayor alongside Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo Tan as his vice mayor and former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella seeking the lone district congressional seat, a position he held from 2001 to 2010.

However, Paduano expressed his support for former Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson as his running mate. Sayson previously ran for Bacolod lone district congressman in the 2016 polls.

Earlier, in response to the said rumors, Puentevella said he is undecided on 2019 plans but noted, if there are people calling for his candidacy, there is still have enough time to think about it.

The former mayor added, if he does not run, he will support anybody who challenges Leonardia and his Grupo Progreso political coalition.

“Anyone who [will] fight them, I will support,” Puentevella affirmed./DGB, WDJ