Opposition mayoralty candidate and former Bacolod lone district Congressman Monico Puentevella bared yesterday in a chance interview at a local restaurant that he will field his own slate composed of himself as candidate for mayor, Vladi Gonzalez, for vice-mayor and councilors, without this former coalition mates now dubbed as the First Five composed of Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Sonia Verdeflor and Elmer Sy, all incumbents and who have also affiliated with the city’s majority party, the Liberal Party. Puentevella said he will not go out of his way if they won’t affiliate with him. The First Five has indicated in earlier interviews that they will support Vice-mayoralty bet, and former Vice-Mayor Renecito Novero.
Novero and the First Five have decided to field a separate ticket in view of Puen-tevella’s not having taken in Novero as vice-mayoralty candidate. A few remaining days are left for the First Five to decide to affiliate with Puentevella’s slate which counting from today, could take only five days. Political punsters opined that without any network for one’s candidacy in any post, winnability could be difficult. While the First Five had earlier affiliated with the Liberal Party, the political party itself, has indicated it could team up with Puentevella. Highly-reliable sources also indicated that the choice by Leonardia of former Councilor and BACIWA Board Member Greg Gasataya is in extreme annoyance among his colleagues in Grupo Progreso placing a damper on some of his plans earlier, such as opposing his privatization program, flaying his chosen candidates for vice-mayor and their having forged an alliance with feisty whistle blower Romy Niere who has now become an archenemy. While the various slates have to take concrete forms yet, at this point in time, an analysis of the various aggrupations and parties would show that it may be composed of Puentevella’s own aggrupation; Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso, the First Five with Novero, and the Liberal Party (LP), - Bacolod fielding a full slate of councilors but adopting Puentevella as mayoralty candidate, Vladi Gon-zalaez for vice-mayor and various councilors to complete the aggrupation. There would, therefore be four aggrupations and parties but could increase to five if BARIS or RABIS would field its own complete slate. BARIS stands for Bais, Ramos Espino, and possibly Rojas. Or Rojas would continue to be part of Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso. Punsters add that the political contest in Bacolod could be the most interesting in years. Sources further say, there is no love lost between Leonardia and LP-Bacolod officials who do not see eye-to-eye in the issue of corruption. But they are tied down by a political coalition on the national level, seeping down into the local level. Puentevella’s staffers have invited the media to a press conference today, at the Business Inn this afternoon. Edgar Cadagat Negros O
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