Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said yesterday that he and other members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Negros Occidental are planning to resign from the political party soon.

Benitez, the chairman of PDP-Laban in Negros Occidental, said the “misalignment of the direction” is the reason why they have to make the decision.

He did not disclose which political party they would join.

Earlier, Benitez said he expects a mass resignation of PDP-Laban members in the province following the endorsement of former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca as their candidate for governor.

Atty. Jesus Villanueva Hinlo, PDP deputy secretary general for Visayas, said they are considering fielding Palanca against Lacson in the midterm polls.

Several PDP members in Victorias resigned after receiving information that Palanca was being considered for endorsement as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, saying “that decision was made without consultation.”/WDJ