By JEN BAYLON
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, running as an independent candidate for the city’s lone congressional district, has once again upset former Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia of the Nacionalista Party in the May 12 midterm elections.
As of 12:12 a.m., five hours after voting ended at 7:00 p.m. and the counting started, Benitez’s votes were already at 162,419 against Leonardia’s 117,706, based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) media server.
Benitez, a former Negros Occidental third district representative, defeated Leonardia in the mayoral race in 2022.
Leonardia served as the lone district representative for one term from 2013 until 2016, and as city mayor from 2016 until 2022.
In a role swap, Greg Gasataya of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), who is in his final term as Bacolod congressional representative, is leading the mayoral race with 156,257 votes against Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran of Lakas–CMD, who has 140,446 votes.
Kalaw Puentevella, also of NPC, is ahead in the Bacolod vice-mayoral contest with 145,292 votes against independent candidate Enoy Novero’s 131,506 votes.
The leading candidates for Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, mostly under the NPC banner, include
* Caesar Distrito (NPC) – 152,154 votes
* Israel Salanga (NPC) – 147,883 votes
* Em Ang (NPC) – 145,083 votes
* Thaddy Sayson (NPC) – 143,498 votes
* Jason Villarosa (NPC) – 136,617 votes
* Celia Flor (IND) – 122,009 votes
* Bobby Rojas (NPC) – 120,676 votes
* Wilson Gamboa, Jr. (IND) – 118,974 votes
* Dindo Ramos (IND) – 118,764 votes
* Pao Sy (NPC) – 118,640 votes
* Homer Bais (NPC) – 118,291 votes
* Al Victor Espino (NPC) – 113,072 votes
Provincial race
In Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson of NPC is leading decisively with 852,929 votes, far ahead of Wantan Palanca of PDP-Laban, who has 63,478 votes.
For vice governor, Joeben Alonso of the National Unity Party leads with 626,335 votes, while Rosemarie Jaro Dreyfus of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) has 128,501 votes.
The leading congressional candidates in Negros Occidental’s districts include
* First District: Jules Ledesma (NPC) – 149,621 votes
* Second District: Jeffrey Marañon (NUP) – 108,484 votes
* Third District: Javi Benitez (PFP) – 191,373 votes
* Fourth District: Jeffrey Ferrer (NUP) – 115,627 votes
* Fifth District: Dino Yulo (Lakas) – 189,989 votes
* Sixth District: Mercedes Alvarez (NPC) – 171,034 votes
Sure winners
Seven aspirants for mayoral posts in the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz, Sagay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of Pontevedra, Ilog and Toboso, are unopposed.
Eight aspirants for vice mayor in the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz and Sipalay, as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Pulupandan, and Ilog, are unchallenged.
Those candidates without opponents are reelectionist San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo and Councilor Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, who will return as the town’s top official after his wife, Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, steps down this year.
Vice mayors Christopher Paul Carmona of San Carlos, Florendo Dinapo of Calatrava, and Maria Luisa dela Cruz of Toboso are all unopposed in their respective reelection bids.
Former Councilor Jugin Jewel Bandolon is also the lone candidate for vice mayor in Don Salvador Benedicto.
Also unchallenged are Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. and his running mate for vice mayor, nephew John Vincent Escalante, and Sagay Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who is running for mayor.
Victorias Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug II is also unchallenged for mayor, as well as reelectionists Mayor Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra and Vice Mayor Anthony Gerard Suatengco of Pulupandan.
The seats being eyed by reelectionist Mayor John Paul Alvarez and his son, John Paulo, a candidate for vice mayor, are also uncontested, the same with the vice mayoral post in Sipalay, where incumbent Oscar Montilla is the only contender.
The official proclamation of winners is expected soon as the Comelec continues canvassing votes.
The elected officials will assume office on June 30, 2025./JB, WDJ