By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Despite being declared independent candidates by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) bets Ann Marie Palermo and Archie Baribar, members of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso (GP) coalition, said they are still anticipating support from the PDP-Laban.

According to Baribar, the PDP-Laban will support him as he previously ran as the party’s official candidate during his 2016 run for Bacolod City lone district congressman.

Meanwhile, Palermo, who ran in the last election as a member of opposition coalition Magbinuligay Kita para sa Kauswagan, expressed confidence she would be supported by President Rodrigo Duterte’s ruling party.

Earlier this week, Comelec declared four GP candidates as “independents” due to a “discrepancy” involving the PDP-Laban.

Aside from Palermo and Baribar, incumbent Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is running for reelection, along with Sangguniang Panlungsod candidate, incumbent City Councilor Bartolome Orola, encountered delays with the filing of their certificates of candidacy (COC).

The four filed on October 15, while the other GP candidates filed on October 11.

According to Comelec-Bacolod elections supervisor, Atty. Mavil Majarucon-Sia, the declaration was made by the Comelec-Central Office legal department after it was determined Government Service Insurance System head, Atty. Jesus Clint Aranas, was not authorized to sign the certificates of nomination and acceptance for PDP-Laban candidates in Bacolod City.

She noted, the declaration does not impact their affiliation with GP.

However, Majarucon-Sia pointed out, in the event of a substitution, they would not be qualified because they are “independent.”/DGB, WDJ