Local political coalition Grupo Progreso (GP), led by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, announced plans to reveal their line up for the upcoming 2019 midterm elections “sometime on or before October 11,” the first day political aspirants can file their certificate of candidacy.

The mayor indicated harmony among their lineup is “at an all-time high” and said they include members of national parties, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party, and PDP-Laban.

In 2016, 11 GP members, including the mayor, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and several incumbent city councilors, formally joined the ruling national party.

Outgoing City Councilor Caesar Distrito, a GP member, earlier said the 12 candidates for Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will be comprised of six incumbent councilors and six returning candidates.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Ana Marie Palermo, who ran as a member of opposition coalition Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan, is rumored to have joined GP for the upcoming polls.

Other candidates include Distrito’s mother, Barangay Singcang-Airport Kagawad Simple Distrito; Albernina Pascual-Lopez, wife of former City Councilor Carl Lopez; and 2016 SP candidate Marlon Solidum./DGB, WDJ