By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia confirmed that his local political coalition, Grupo Progresso (GP), has begun discussions for their official line-up in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

During a press conference last Monday, Leonardia said GP met at a hotel in the city last week, which was attended by Bacolod City lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and GP city councilors.

Leonardia said they are exploring, evaluating, and assessing plans, noting, they have to fill slates for city councilors Em Ang and Caesar Distrito, who are in their final terms in office.

It was also revealed the coalition was open to welcoming city councilors Sonya Verdeflor and Ana Marie Palermo.

Last month, Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo Tan, who initially ran on the GP ticket, admitted to having “informal discussions” about local politics during a party for former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella.

Tan’s name was also floated as a possible candidate for mayor, alongside Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, who recently transferred his voter registration to the city./DGB, WDJ