By JEN BAYLON
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and former Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia are up for a rematch in the 2025 midterm elections.
This, after Benitez filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Bacolod lone district representative under Team Asenso, yesterday.
In a press conference after the filing, Benitez said he had long thought about his decision to run in the upcoming polls before he filed his COC.
The mayor said he observed Bacolod’s situation before making a decision.
Benitez said he wants to keep his plans aligned to bring Bacolod to the next level.
The mayor said with his run as lone district congressman, Bacolod will be closer to the national scene and will have more support and assistance from the national government.
Meanwhile, Benitez said he chose Congressman Greg Gasataya to run for city mayor.
He believes Gasataya could continue the “change” the mayor has been establishing in the city.
Benitez said this was a “win-win” position for Bacolod.
For his part, Gasataya is grateful to Benitez for the trust he gave him.
He described Benitez’s initiatives as “big shoes to fill.”
Furthermore, Bacolod Councilor Kalaw Puentevella, also under Asenso Bacolod, will run for vice mayor.
Incumbent City Councilors Al Espino, Thaddy Sayson, Pao Sy, Vladimir Gonzales, Israel Salanga, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, and Em Ang will be seeking reelection.
Bobby Rojas, Homer Bais, Dindo Ramos, and Singcang-Airport Punong Barangay Caesar Distrito will run for city councilor.
Leonardia filed his candidacy for lone district representative under the Nacionalista Party on October 1, the first day of COC filing.
Leonardia said it’s about time to move to the next level, as he is seeking to return to the local political scene.
“I want to widen my horizons and serve the people on a different level,” he said.
The former city mayor said he has proven his service to the Bacolodnons, so it is time to go to the next level in politics.
Leonardia served as the lone district representative for one term from 2013 until 2016, and as city mayor from 2016 until 2022.
Benitez, a former Negros Occidental third district congressman, defeated Leonardia in the mayoral race in 2022.
Familiaran files COC
Meanwhile, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran also filed his COC yesterday, running for city mayor.
Familiaran said he had informed Benitez about his plans as early as January, saying it was time for him to pursue a higher position in the city government.
He also clarified that he and Benitez had no intention of running against each other.
3 vie in NegOcc guv race
Five candidates are vying for the gubernatorial post in Negros Occidental in the 2025 midterm elections as the filing of COCs ended yesterday.
Former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, under the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, filed his COC yesterday.
Business owner Ernesto Librando of Calatrava town earlier submitted his COC through his authorized representative.
Librando is a member of the Maharlika Party.
Incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will face Paul Octaviano and Ferdenand Diego in the gubernatorial position.
Lacson is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Diego is an independent candidate, while Octaviano is a member of the Partido Lakas ng Masa.
Two candidates also filed COCs for provincial vice governor — Lacson’s runningmate 4th District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso and Octaviano’s partymate Rosemarie Jaro Dreyfus of Silay City./JB, WDJ