The Bacolod City Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 50 has scheduled a pre-trial conference on November 26, in relation to a civil case the Luzuriaga family filed against the city government over the property where the old city hall was built. This stemmed from the case filed by Jose de Luzuriaga in 2007 to reclaim his family’s property from the city government in view of the construction of the Bacolod People’s House, which is considered the new city hall. In a notice dated September 21, the court ordered defendants Mayor Monico Puentevella and intervenors Councilors Archie Baribar, El Cid Familiaran, Sonya Verdeflor, former councilors Elmer Sy and Catalino Alisbo to attend the pre-trial conference. The intervenors, together with the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), City Registry of Deeds, City Legal Officer, and lawyers Salvador Sabio, Lyndon Cana, and Manuel Magbanua were also directed to file their judicial affidavits not later than five days before the pre-trial. According to Verdeflor, the civil case has been filed some years ago but the pre-trial was recently set. Verdeflor claimed she decided to be an intervenor in the case after then mayor and now Bacolod City Lone District Representative Evelio “Bing” Leonardia did not give much attention to the case. Verdeflor recalled the court issued the city government a notice to answer the case, but instead of answering the case, then City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan recommended to file for a motion to dismiss the case. Bayatan, in a press statement, said he sought for the case’s dismissal because the complainant could not even establish his lineage to the donors of the property. Bayatan cited that the Luzuriaga clan donated a lot at the downtown area where the old city hall was established. De Luzuriaga claimed that he is one of the heirs of the said property. In the complaint, he alleged there was fraud in the issuance of the property title transferring the lot to the city government. Bayatan countered that the complaint should be dismissed since the lot was donated to the city government over 50 years ago. Bayatan recalled he received a “knee-jerk reaction” from Verdeflor and Baribar during the height of the case. He said he was called into a city council session to explain to the councilors why there was a need to dismiss the case. However, his recommendation to dismiss the case was not pursued due to Verdeflor and Baribar’s decision to intervene in the case. “I do not know what their motive was in doing such a thing but as far as the records are concerned, they merely copied the CLO’s motion to dismiss in their answer to the case,” Bayatan said. “If the councilors did not intervene and the motion for dismissal was pursued, the proceeding of the case could have been speedy,” he added./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino
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LARGE crowds of supporters of both the Magbinuligay Kita Para Sa Kauswagan (MKK) Partido Bacolod, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso came to show their support to their respective candidates in Bacolod City who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Thursday. About 6,000 followers of MKK Partido Bacolod led by Mayor Monico Puentevella came for the COC filing yesterday morning. Joining Puentevella in the line-up are former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who is running for congressman and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, for vice mayor. The three as well as their partymates running for councilors wore yellow shirts that bear their first names on the right side and the Philippine flag on the left. Candidates for councilors are incumbents Sonya Verdeflor, Ana Marie Palermo, Alex Paglomutan and Claudio Puentevella, former councilors Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais, and neophyte candidates Dr. Francis Balzomo, Atty. Lorney Lyzander Dilag. lawyer Arnel Sigue, and Baranagy 19 village chief Jocelyn Uychiat. Puentevella said he is still awaiting the decision of Councilor Archie Baribar whether he will still seek re-election or run for a higher post. The MKK Partido Bacolod candidates attended a mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral before proceeding to the nearby Bays Center to launch their team’s line-up. The team has various political affiliations including the Liberal Party and National Unity Party. Sigue and Balzomo don't have national party affiliations yet. Meanwhile, former officials who were previously affiliated with the NPC-Grupo Progreso explained why they chose to be with the Puentevella camp. Sayson said that after he lost to Puentevella in 2013, the mayor visited him at home on December 24 on the same year. “He humbly went out of his way to visit his opponent. Who am I to refuse a man who is humble enough to come to me despite the fact that he was victorious and I was a loser then?" Sayson said. Paglomutan said that Puentevella is not just a politician but also a statesman. For his part, Gonzalez said that Puentevella is one of a kind as a person and leader. Meanwhile in the afternoon, the NPC-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia was backed by a crowd of chanting, stomping, and merry-making supporters. "This was beyond our expectations and simply amazing,” Leonardia said of the crowd. “You can see it in their faces that they are very enthusiastic and intense in supporting us. It was even more significant considering it was a spontaneous and natural show of support even without financial or material considerations," said Leonardia, who is running for mayor this time. Most of the NPC-Grupo Progreso supporters also wore red shirts like Leonardia and the rest of his partymates. Joining Leonardia in the filing of COCs yesterday were Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, who is running for congressman, and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who is eyeing the vice mayoral post. Running for councilors are reelectionists Em Ang and Caesar Distrito; former vice mayor Renecito Novero, former councilors Ricardo Tan, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, and Elmer Sy. Also included for councilors are Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, engineer Bart Orola, youth leader Israel Salanga, and businessman George Zulueta. LARGE crowds of supporters of both the Magbinuligay Kita Para Sa Kauswagan (MKK) Partido Bacolod, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso came to show their support to their respective candidates in Bacolod City who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Thursday. About 6,000 followers of MKK Partido Bacolod led by Mayor Monico Puentevella came for the COC filing yesterday morning. Joining Puentevella in the line-up are former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who is running for congressman and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, for vice mayor. The three as well as their partymates running for councilors wore yellow shirts that bear their first names on the right side and the Philippine flag on the left. Candidates for councilors are incumbents Sonya Verdeflor, Ana Marie Palermo, Alex Paglomutan and Claudio Puentevella, former councilors Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais, and neophyte candidates Dr. Francis Balzomo, Atty. Lorney Lyzander Dilag. lawyer Arnel Sigue, and Baranagy 19 village chief Jocelyn Uychiat. Puentevella said he is still awaiting the decision of Councilor Archie Baribar whether he will still seek re-election or run for a higher post. The MKK Partido Bacolod candidates attended a mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral before proceeding to the nearby Bays Center to launch their team’s line-up. The team has various political affiliations including the Liberal Party and National Unity Party. Sigue and Balzomo don't have national party affiliations yet. Meanwhile, former officials who were previously affiliated with the NPC-Grupo Progreso explained why they chose to be with the Puentevella camp. Sayson said that after he lost to Puentevella in 2013, the mayor visited him at home on December 24 on the same year. “He humbly went out of his way to visit his opponent. Who am I to refuse a man who is humble enough to come to me despite the fact that he was victorious and I was a loser then?" Sayson said. Paglomutan said that Puentevella is not just a politician but also a statesman. For his part, Gonzalez said that Puentevella is one of a kind as a person and leader. Meanwhile in the afternoon, the NPC-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia was backed by a crowd of chanting, stomping, and merry-making supporters. "This was beyond our expectations and simply amazing,” Leonardia said of the crowd. “You can see it in their faces that they are very enthusiastic and intense in supporting us. It was even more significant considering it was a spontaneous and natural show of support even without financial or material considerations," said Leonardia, who is running for mayor this time. Most of the NPC-Grupo Progreso supporters also wore red shirts like Leonardia and the rest of his partymates. Joining Leonardia in the filing of COCs yesterday were Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, who is running for congressman, and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who is eyeing the vice mayoral post. Running for councilors are reelectionists Em Ang and Caesar Distrito; former vice mayor Renecito Novero, former councilors Ricardo Tan, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, and Elmer Sy. Also included for councilors are Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, engineer Bart Orola, youth leader Israel Salanga, and businessman George Zulueta. LARGE crowds of supporters of both the Magbinuligay Kita Para Sa Kauswagan (MKK) Partido Bacolod, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso came to show their support to their respective candidates in Bacolod City who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Thursday. About 6,000 followers of MKK Partido Bacolod led by Mayor Monico Puentevella came for the COC filing yesterday morning. Joining Puentevella in the line-up are former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who is running for congressman and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, for vice mayor. The three as well as their partymates running for councilors wore yellow shirts that bear their first names on the right side and the Philippine flag on the left. Candidates for councilors are incumbents Sonya Verdeflor, Ana Marie Palermo, Alex Paglomutan and Claudio Puentevella, former councilors Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais, and neophyte candidates Dr. Francis Balzomo, Atty. Lorney Lyzander Dilag. lawyer Arnel Sigue, and Baranagy 19 village chief Jocelyn Uychiat. Puentevella said he is still awaiting the decision of Councilor Archie Baribar whether he will still seek re-election or run for a higher post. The MKK Partido Bacolod candidates attended a mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral before proceeding to the nearby Bays Center to launch their team’s line-up. The team has various political affiliations including the Liberal Party and National Unity Party. Sigue and Balzomo don't have national party affiliations yet. Meanwhile, former officials who were previously affiliated with the NPC-Grupo Progreso explained why they chose to be with the Puentevella camp. Sayson said that after he lost to Puentevella in 2013, the mayor visited him at home on December 24 on the same year. “He humbly went out of his way to visit his opponent. Who am I to refuse a man who is humble enough to come to me despite the fact that he was victorious and I was a loser then?" Sayson said. Paglomutan said that Puentevella is not just a politician but also a statesman. For his part, Gonzalez said that Puentevella is one of a kind as a person and leader. Meanwhile in the afternoon, the NPC-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia was backed by a crowd of chanting, stomping, and merry-making supporters. "This was beyond our expectations and simply amazing,” Leonardia said of the crowd. “You can see it in their faces that they are very enthusiastic and intense in supporting us. It was even more significant considering it was a spontaneous and natural show of support even without financial or material considerations," said Leonardia, who is running for mayor this time. Most of the NPC-Grupo Progreso supporters also wore red shirts like Leonardia and the rest of his partymates. Joining Leonardia in the filing of COCs yesterday were Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, who is running for congressman, and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who is eyeing the vice mayoral post. Running for councilors are reelectionists Em Ang and Caesar Distrito; former vice mayor Renecito Novero, former councilors Ricardo Tan, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, and Elmer Sy. Also included for councilors are Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, engineer Bart Orola, youth leader Israel Salanga, and businessman George Zulueta. By CARLA N. CANET Candidates of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition-Grupo Progreso and the MKK Partido Bacolod filed their certificates of candidacy yesterday at the Bacolod Commission on Elections Office escorted by thousands of their supporters. The MKK Partido Bacolod team led by Mayor Monico Puentevella filed their COCs in the morning after a mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral, while the NPC-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia filed theirs in the afternoon, also after a mass at 2 p.m. Both Puentevella and Leonardia will be running against each other for the mayoralty seat for the second time. Leonardia defeated Puentevella in the 2010 elections. Leonardia and his party mates, who were in red shirts, locked arms as they marched towards the Comelec Office, while Puentevella and his partymates, who are running under the National Unity Party, marched towards the BAYS Center before they proceeded to the Comelec to file their COCs. Puentevella introduced the members of his team, who were all wearing yellow shirts, inside a boxing ring at the BAYS Center that was covered by a blue tarpaulin and decorated with balloons of yellow and blue. The MKK Partido Bacolod team includes former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who is running for congressman, businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, who is running for vice mayor, and incumbent Councilors Ana Marie Palermo, Sonya Verdelfor, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Alex Paglumotan and Claudio Puentevella, who are seeking re-election, former councilors Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais, Lorney Lizander Dilag, Dr. Francis Balzomo, Arnel Sigue and Barangay Captain Jocelyn Uychiat of Barangay 19. WHERE WAS BARIBAR? Councilor Archie Baribar, who is allied with Puentevella, did not show up yesterday and is expected to file his COC today together with Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez who is allied with Leonardia. It is not yet known what positions they will be seeking. Puentevella asked the crowd to pray for Baribar so he could finalize his decision. Meanwhile, the NPC-Grupo Progreso is composed of Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, who is running for congressman, Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who is running for vice mayor, and Councilors Em Ang and Caesar Distrito, who are seeking re-election, former councilor Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, former Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region assistant secretary Ricardo “Cano” Tan, Cindy Rojas, George Zulueta, Bart Orola, Marlon Solidum and Israel Salanga, who are running for councilor. Rojas is the wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, while Orola is the brother of former Bacolod Rep. John Orola. Zulueta is a director of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while Solidum is a broadcaster and Salanga is a youth leader. Novero, Familiaran and Sy ran under the Magnificent Seven group in the 2013 elections, together with Verdeflor, and Baribar. While Sayson, Bais and Paglumotan, who ran under the NPC-Grupo Progreso in 2013, have been reunited with Puentevella, as they were his former allies before they joined the group of Leonardia. They claimed that one of the reasons the reconciled with Puentevella is because he is “a good leader.” TOPNOTCHERS Leonardia called his slate the “powerhouse team,” citing that four of them - Gasataya, Familiaran, Novero, and himself—were No. 1 councilors for two terms. While he went on to become vice-mayor after his one term as councilor, the three also topped their re-election. When asked how he would call his team, Puentevella said “We only want the People's House (government center) and the Congressional House.” He said he wants to continue serving because he has several projects to finish.” Both camps appealed to their supporters to vote for their party mates particularly for the positions of congressman, mayor, and vice mayor so there will be harmony in governance. They also continued to exchange barbs after the filing of COCs with the camp of Puentevella training their cannons on Leonardia. Leonardia said he had no plans earlier to run for mayor in the 2016 elections but he just responded to the clamor of the people who want him to return to the City Hall. He again quoted Mahatma Gandhi, who said: "There go my people, I must follow them, for I am their leader." Leonardia also declared that "Bacolod is worth fighting for! and from what we saw in the crowds with us today, I can tell them again "Para sa ‘yo ang laban na to!" On the other hand, Gasataya, who will be running against Sayson, his former partymate, said “I wish him well. This is a democratic process. What is important is our objective which is to ensure a harmonious working relationship between the city and Congress.”*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO The official slate of the Nationalist People's Coalition-Grupo Progreso in Bacolod City was formally presented yesterday, that, according to Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia “Is the team that will make Bacolod City great again.”
The members of the NPC-Grupo Progreso will file their certificates of candidacy today after a 1 p.m. mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral. Leonardia, who is running for mayor, said that in his 20 years in politics, this is the first time he has seen a team which he considers “a power house team.” It is the strongest team ever assembled and is a team of winning candidates, he said. The team is also composed of Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya who is running for congressman and Councilor El Cid Familiaran who is running for vice mayor. Candidates for councilors are former councilors Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, and Al Victor Espino, former vice mayor Renecito Novero, incumbent Councilors Em Ang and Caesar Distrito, former Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region assistant secretary Ricardo “Cano” Tan, Cindy Rojas, businessmen George Zulueta and Bart Orola, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, and youth leader Israel Salanga. Gasataya said the team is composed of incumbent and former councilors, public servants and a group of people who have only one objective which is to restore the honor and progress of Bacolod City. Leonardia, Gasataya, Novero and Familiaran have been number one councilors for two terms. Familiaran said it is an honor to be chosen as vice mayor of the NPC-GP. He accepts the challenge with obligation to devout his time and effort to help the group towards victory. Ramos revealed that he was invited by the group of Mayor Monico Puentevella to run for vice mayor under their MKK Partido Bacolod team. But he refused it. Espino highlighted the landmark projects implemented under the Leonardia administration like the government center, sanitary landfill, and relocation site. Rojas said she would like to serve the people of Bacolod and continue the programs started by her husband, Councilor Roberto Rojas. Both Rojas and Ang will serve the sectors of women and children, while Novero said public service is the heartbeat of his life and assured that he will serve the people of Bacolod well. Salanga is the son of broadcaster Fred Salanga of Aksyon Radyo, while Solidum is a block time radio announcer. Cano Tan, owner of Campuestohan Highland Resort, said he is ready to serve the people of Bacolod again, while Elmer Sy said his motto is “Less talk, more action.” Tan, a former councilor, said he had served in at least three national government positions and never was his name tainted by any scandal, anomaly or issue on graft. He believes that the call for public service is not a matter of choice but a matter of responsibility, he said. Zulueta, a director of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he is calling on his fellow Partido Pagalum members to support the candidacy of Leonardia for mayor of Bacolod. Leonardia, when asked about Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez's absence from the team, said he believes the best person who can answer the question is Lopez himself. He said he does not want to talk about the matter since he is not aware of the circumstances.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star October 15, 2016 sgg Bacolod City Lone District Representative Bing Leonardia said he would consult both Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, his allies in Grupo Progreso, regarding their support and campaigning for specific presidential candidates. As earlier announced, Leonardia, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said he would support the Liberal Party (LP) tandem of Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo. On the other hand, Gasataya and Familiaran have yet to reveal their presidential bets. “We will reasonably talk about this,” Leonardia said. “We will handle this matter individually, as of now.” Gasataya is a member of the NPC while Familiaran is a stalwart of the LP. Leonardia said he is hopeful they can resolve the matter for as long as the communication lines are open. “This is the reality in politics which we need to live with,” Leonardia claimed. Meanwhile, Gasataya earlier said he will rely on the decision of the NPC on the national level, as he respects the decision of the group as a whole. On the other hand, Familiaran has yet to decide on who to support as of press time./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino BACOLOD. Rep. Evelio Leonardia (center), who is running for mayor in the 2016 elections, shows unity with Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya (right) and Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who are seeking the congressional and vice mayoral seats, respectively. (Ronnie Baldonado) THE Pamilya Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK) headed by Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella will present its team of candidates after filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Thursday. The group will attend a mass at San Sebastian Cathedral at 8 a.m. and will proceed to the nearby Comelec office to file their COCs. Puentevella will formally present his party’s line-up in a press conference at 11 a.m. at Business Inn hotel. Former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson is most likely the Pamilya MKK’s candidate for congressman, while businessman Vladimir Gonzalez is for vice mayor. Expected to run for councilor are former councilor Homer Bais and incumbents Councilors Alex Paglomutan, Sonya Verdeflor, Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella, and Ana Marie Palermo, among others. Their partymate Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. filed his COC ahead on Tuesday. ‘Powerhouse, winning team’ Meanwhile, rival Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso led by Representative Evelio Leonardia, who is also running for mayor, presented Wednesday their complete slate for the 2016 elections in a press conference at Business Inn. The Grupo Progreso is fielding Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya for congressman and Councilor El Cid Familiaran for vice mayor. Seeking reelection are Councilors Caesar Distrito and Em Ang. Also running for councilor are former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, and returning City Council members Ricardo Tan, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, and Al Victor Espino. The neophytes are Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, Israel Salanga, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, engineer Bartolome Orola, and businessman George Zulueta. Leonardia and his group are expected to file their COCs Thursday. He once again declared that his line-up is a powerhouse and a team of winning candidates. "I have been mayor for some time. The first time I was elected mayor was in 1995 or 20 years ago. This is the first time that I have seen a team, which in all sense of the word, a powerhouse. They did not only meet my expectation but they even went beyond my expectation," Leonardia said. Espino said Leonardia as mayor was able to implement landmark projects, and “with the new team, there will be more to come." Ang said, "We have made a lot of ordinances in the Sangguniang Panlungsod and we hope to get a new mandate from the people of Bacolod." Distrito added, "There are four No. 1 councilors from 1998 to the present who are included in our line-up namely former councilors Leonardia, Gasataya, Familiaran, and Novero. The three of us incumbent councilors have performed well in the Sanggunian." Tan said, "I am now ready to serve Bacolod again. I have served in both local and national positions but not once that my name was dragged in controversies especially on graft and corruption. I should have spent my time with my family, but I know that public service is not only a matter of choice but a matter of responsibility." For his part, Novero said, "Public service is part of my calling. Mayor Bing convinced me to run. I serve as a lawyer and minister of the Church. I will continue to serve as your servant. I will serve you far better." By CARLA N. CANET “This is the team that can make Bacolod great again,” stressed Bacolod City Lone District Representative Evelio “Bing” Leonardia yesterday as he officially launched what he dubbed as the “powerhouse cast” of his Grupo Progreso at the Bacolod Business Inn. The Bacolod solon and former mayor, who recently declared his bid to retake City Hall, formally presented his complete slate which, he said, will “save Bacolod in the coming years.” A new name appeared on Leonardia’s list: George Zulueta. The businessman replaced Councilor Carl Lopez who has announced his intention to run for the city’s congressional post. Despite Lopez running for congress, Leonardia clarified there was no personal conflict between the group and the councilor, who is now a member of the Liberal Party (LP). Leonardia claimed the members of Grupo Progreso “went beyond his expectation.” “This is a team which is not just competent but a team of winning candidates,” he added. “We are solid.” As this developed, Leonardia defended his decision to attempt to unseat Mayor Monico Puentevella instead of seeking re-election as representative. “This is not a personal decision but a decision of everybody who wants to save Bacolod,” Leonardia stressed. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor and congressional aspirant Greg Gasataya said they have a team of public servants with the same goal, which, according to him, is “to bring back the pride and progress in the city of Bacolod.” Gasataya added his commitment is to try his very best to continue what the incumbent congressman started. Gasataya also ensured the delivery of basic services in the city and the implementation of Leonardia’s projects, which have yet to be pursued due to politics. For his part, Councilor and Vice Mayoralty hopeful El Cid Familiaran thanked Leonardia for giving him the opportunity to seek for higher position. “It’s an honor and privilege to be chosen as candidate for vice mayor by our congressman,” Familiaran said. With his inclusion in Leonardia’s slate, Familiaran said he accepts the challenge with an obligation to help the group towards victory. The event was also attended by barangay captains and leaders, as well as the support group of Grupo Progreso. Grupo Progreso 2016 line-up Congressman: Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya Mayor: Representative Bing Leonardia Vice Mayor: Councilor El Cid Familiaran Councilors: 1. Councilor Em Ang 2. Councilor Caesar Distrito 3. Former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero 4. Former Councilor & Assistant Secretary Ricardo “Cano” Tan 5. Former Councilor Elmer Sy 6. Former Councilor Al Victor Espino 7. Former Councilor Dindo Ramos 8. Engineer Bart Orola 9. Broadcaster Marlon Solidum 10. Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto “Bobby” Rojas 11. Israel Salanga 12. George Zulueta/WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Composed of several political groups, the Power House Teams envision to empower Bacolod City. Comprised by candidates from the Nacionalista Party (NP), Liberal Party (LP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), both Grupo Progreso (GP) and Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK) Power House Team members consider their groups as the strongest and most powerful, having the political bailiwick and track records. One group lead by congressman Evelio Leo-nardia, who announced his bid for mayorship, with incumbent vice mayor Greg Gasataya for congressman, and number one councilor El Cid Familiaran for vice mayor, they are complimented by re-electionists, returning and new aspirants for councilor. They were presented before the media and community leaders during their presentation program yesterday at Business Inn Hotel. Former vice Mayor Renecito Novero, former councilors Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino, Ricardo Cano Tan, and Elmer Sy; incumbent councilors Em Ang, and Caesar Distrito; Engr. Bart Orola, new faces like Marlon Solidum, Cindy Rojas, and George Zulueta. As chairman of NPC in Bacolod City, Leonardia was first elected mayor of Bacolod in 1995 or 20 years ago, now intends to bid as mayor again. He assured Bacolodnons that the Power House Team is determined to regain Bacolod City from the lost identity as one of the top cities in the country in various aspects. It was once number one child friendly, livable city, clean and green, business friendly, competitiveness, and a lot more. The Power House team will file their certificates of candidacy today, October 15, to be joined by their supporters from barangays and other sectors. Also considered as even more Power House Team, the MKK Fighting Force for the 2016 polls headed by reelectionist Monico Puentevella and teammate Vladimir “Vladi” Gonzalez, will storm Comelec to file their COC’s tomorrow. In just two years as Bacolod Mayor, Puentevella has steered the capital city as a Booming Metropolis in this part of the Negros Island Region and the entire Visayas. Known for his no-nonsense political will and dedication to duty despite the seemingly insurmountable odds confronting the staggering difficulties he inherited from the past administration, Puentevella and his MKK team have proven themselves equal to the task at hand. He has an enviable force of hardworking men and women behind him, namely former Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson for congressman; candidates for city councilors like incumbents Jun Gamboa, Sonya Verdeflor, Alex Paglumotan, Kalaw Puentevella, Ann Marie Palermo, and Archie Baribar; return Councilors Homer Bais, Catalino Alisbo, Lawyers Arnel Sigue, Ai-ai Villarosa, Jun-Jun Arceo and Lyzander “Bong”Dilag.* Bacolod Lone District Representative Evelio “Bing” Leonardia and Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Stephen “Carapali” Paduano yesterday endorsed Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya (center), who officially declared his bid to run for congress. Also with them are (from left) Councilors Roberto “Bobby” Rojas, Caesar Distrito, El Cid Familiaran, and Em Ang; former Councilor Al Victor Espino, and Israel Salanga. (Archie Rey Alipalo Photo) “I will be running for congressman,” announced Bacolod Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya yesterday, as he officially declared his bid to run for congress in the 2016 national and local elections. The announcement was made after the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) signed a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) last September 28. Joining Gasataya during his declaration were Bacolod Lone District Representative Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, Abang Lingkod Partylist Representative Stephen “Carapali” Paduano, Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Caesar Distrito, Roberto “Bobby” Rojas, and Em Ang, as well as former Councilor Al Victor Espino, and Israel Salanga. Gasataya announced he will continue what Leonardia started for the city of Bacolod, citing ongoing and future infrastructure projects of the solon. “I cannot do this on my own but with the help of everybody, we can do a lot of things for the city,” he said. Gasataya disclosed he sacrificed a lot when he committed himself as a full-pledged vice mayor of the city since 2013, but he’ll be even more inspired to continue what he began if he wins in the 2016 elections as congressman. “I will continue to hear what the people of Bacolod want,” Gasataya said. He also thanked his family and supporters who always believed in his capacity as a public servant. Meanwhile, Councilor Carl Lopez yesterday confirmed he will also run for Congressman, as he disclosed his plan to file his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Friday. When asked for his reaction on Gasataya’s declaration, Lopez said, “Good luck.” On the other hand, Gasataya and Lopez will go up against former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who is the congressional candidate of the political group Partido Bacolod MKK (Magbinuligay Kita Para sa Kauswagan) headed by Mayor Monico Puentevella./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino Bacolod Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya was endorsed by the Nationalist People's Coalition-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia and Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano for congressman of Bacolod City, during a press conference at the Business Inn in Bacolod City yesterday. Paduano said Abang Lingkod, Love Negros, and Rep. Alfedo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) declare their full support to Gasataya as the next congressman of Bacolod. He said he believes that only Gasataya can ensure a peaceful and harmonious relationship between the mayor and congressman of Bacolod City. Gasataya was issued a certificate of nomination and acceptance on September 28 by the NPC to be the party's official candidate in the May 9, 2016 local and national elections for the position of representative of Bacolod City. Leonardia said this will dispel rumors that the NPC has given another candidate a CONA for congressman. Gasataya declared that he is running for congressman in the presence of his partymates Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Roberto Rojas, Caesar Distrito, Em Ang and former councilor Al Victor Espino, and Leonardia , together with about 25 barangay captains, and representatives from the religious sector and youth, among others. Gasataya said he decided to make the announcement yesterday because it was a significant day for him, being the 10 th birthday of his son RD. He said he did not come from a political family. But his first taste of politics came when his parents helped Alex Espino run for the position of assemblyman. Gasataya said he experienced all forms of sacrifices and difficulty which opened his eyes and heart to public service. “Progress and development can be achieved if we render service to everyone without discrimination,” he said. His baptism of fire in public service came, he said, after he studied political science in the University of the Philippines-Diliman and later worked as a broadcaster in Bacolod for eight years where he was exposed to different people and helping them find solutions to the different problems they were facing. He said he believes what he has achieved can also be attained by others if they are given a chance to go to school. Gasataya said he has been in public service for 22 years. Half of his life has been dedicated to service. He said that after hearing the testimonies of those he had helped, he realized that he was given by the Lord a rare opportunity to serve Bacolod despite coming from a humble family. His father was a jeepney driver while his mother stopped teaching to work full time in the church. Gasataya recalled that when he ran for councilor in 2001 he landed 10 th place and was reelected twice as number one councilor in 2004 and 2007. He had the same fate as Familiaran, Leonardia and former vice mayor Renecito Novero, he said. And in 2013, he committed to become full time vice mayor, he added. He believes that the most important ordinance he authored was the “Comprehensive Scholarship Program of Bacolod,” Gasataya said. “Let us continue programs that will directly help the people of Bacolod such as education, health, and programs that will help the youth,” he said. Gasataya said he is committed to continue the projects started by Leonardia. He will also continue to bring the voice of Bacolod to Congress. Leonardia said they will formally introduce the official line-up of the NPC-Grupo Progreso today.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO |
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