By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

“Let the people of Bacolod City decide.”

This was the reaction of Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer after reports came out on Tuesday that three residents of Bacolod City have filed petitions opposing the transfer of the voter’s registration of former congressman Alfredo Benitez from Victorias City to Bacolod City.

Ferrer is considered one of the vocal supporters of Benitez’s bid for the mayorship of the capital city of the province.

“Instead of resorting to legal technicalities, they should allow the people to decide,” the vice governor said.

Atty. Katherina Caña, city election officer, confirmed to Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod that three residents of Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City through their counsel filed a petition opposing the application of transfer of registration of Benitez Tuesday afternoon.

Caña identified the petitioners through their family names, namely two with surnames of Abaos and one with Yula questioning the residency of the former congressman.

She said that Benitez will be given the opportunity to answer the petition and submit evidence to prove that he is a resident of Bacolod.

The Election Registration Board (ERB)  will convene on July 19 and decide whether to approve the application for registration of Benitez.

It will be final and executory, Caña said

Ferrer said that while he respects the right of the petitioners to file an action to oppose the registration of the capitol consultant, “it is a form of politicking because the filing of candidacy is still in October this year.”

Voters should listen to all candidates and their motives for running instead to resorting to character and personal attacks hurled against certain candidates, he said./DGB, WDJ