BACOLOD, Philippines – Excitement is building in Negros Occidental as former Bacolod City mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, October 1.
Leonardia’s decision to run for representative of Bacolod’s lone district, instead of the mayoral post, puzzled many of his Grupo Progreso supporters. Still, about 3,000 of his supporters accompanied him from a Mass at the Bacolod Cathedral to the filing of his certificate at the Comelec’s Bacolod office at around 3:40 pm.
Many of his supporters wanted a fight, a chance to reclaim what was lost. They had anticipated that Leonardia would seek redemption, a comeback in the mayoral race after his 2022 defeat to Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, a gaming mogul-turned-politician. The loss had stung. But Leonardia had different plans.
Leonardia has had a long political career in Bacolod, starting as vice mayor from 1995 to 1998, mayor from 2004 to 2013, congressman from 2013 to 2016, and mayor again from 2016 to 2022. However, he suffered a defeat in the 2022 elections, with Benitez securing 171,893 votes compared to Leonardia’s 64,446.
Leonardia, now 72, said he realized that the duties of a local chief executive were already too tedious for his age. He added that running for congressman was a decision made after a long process of reflection.
Asked if he had the support of Vice President Sara Duterte, the ex-mayor said, “We’re very best friends.”
For the first time in over 20 years in Bacolod politics, Leonardia is running without a ticket.
Asked about his chances in another face-off with Benitez, Leonardia said, “Only time will tell. Circumstances always vary. Besides, there are also a lot of advantages to running alone.”
It is not yet known who will challenge Leonardia’s congressional bid, but talk has it that it could be Benitez who supposedly agreed to trade places with outgoing Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya.
Although Benitez and Gasataya belong to different political parties, they are known political allies in Bacolod.
Benitez is a new member of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), while Gasataya remains with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
The Bacolod mayor is still in Italy, but his spokesperson, lawyer Caesar Distrito, said Benitez is 90% certain to run for congressman.
Meanwhile, Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego, a former security guard, also filed his COC for reelection in the Negros Occidental city under the administration PFP.
In 2022, Gallego made history in Silay by becoming the first non-haciendero to be elected to Silay’s top post, defeating former mayor Mark Golez.
He once served as a barangay chairman and vice mayor, and has been known as one of the “poorest” mayors in Negros Occidental.
Gallego said his reelection bid is about continuing his brand of public service for the people of Silay without fear or favor.
Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang also filed her COC for reelection. She is expected to face former Hinoba-an mayor Ernesto Estrao, who confirmed to Rappler on Tuesday, October 1, that he would be filing his COC next week.
The Lansang-Estrao rivalry is being described as a David and Goliath battle. Lansang, now seeking her fifth term as congresswoman, belongs to the wealthy and prominent Alvarez family, while Estrao has been projecting himself as the “man of the masses.” – Rappler.com
