By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella’s political coalition, the Magbinuligay Kita para sa Kauswagan (MKK), has started planning for the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

During a recent press conference, Puentevella said MKK will return to Bacolod City, despite not yet finalizing plans for next year. However, some reports suggest he may run for Congress, having previously serving the post from 2001 to 2010.

There is also no confirmation to the suggestion the party would run Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo Tan against incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who leads the Grupo Progreso (GP) coalition. Tan initially ran on the GP slate when seeking the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) post in 2016.

There are also claims former Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson would run for his previous post. Sayson unsuccessfully ran for Bacolod City lone district congressman in the 2016 polls.

Among the names being floated for the MKK SP slate include current City Councilors Claudio Jesus ‘Kalaw’ Puentevella and Wilson Gamoba, Jr.; alongside Tangub Barangay Captain Noli Villarosa, Benjamin Baldo, Ruping Alcala, and Friday Solinap.

Last month, GP announced they already began discussions for 2019, with Leonardia pointing out 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, both previously ran on the MKK ballot./DGB, WDJ