Distrito: A Grupo Progreso sweep is possible

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

With Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo Tan recently announcing his withdrawal from the race for Bacolod City mayor in the 2019 midterm elections, fellow city councilor Caesar Distrito yesterday said the move exposes the “disorganization” of the opposition coalition, Magbinuligay Kita para sa Kauswagan (MKK).

Distrito is a member of the ruling Grupo Progreso (GP), which is led by incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

“The political opposition is in disarray,” he stated, adding, because Tan backed out, “GP [is showing] a strong front.”

Distrito noted, Tan, who ran for his current position as a GP member, has long severed ties with the coalition but said he would not be surprised if he were to return to the coalition.

The city official added, a 12-0 GP sweep in the upcoming polls is possible.

“If it’s not a landslide, I think we can suffer around one or two casualties,” he affirmed.

Last Thursday, Tan announced his withdrawal from the mayoral race, stating he is setting aside his plans as the time for his “crusade for good governance” has not yet come.

With Tan’s withdrawal, it is currently unclear who will replace him in the MKK lineup. Although, it was earlier reported, Vladimir Gonzales, MKK’s 2016 candidate for Bacolod City vice mayor, may run for mayor in 2019./DGB, WDJ