While I already enumerated the names of candidates for councilor in the city of Bacolod who have strong chances of getting a seat in the city council, recent developments indicated that other than the Top 13 – Baribar, Familiaran, Sy, Verdeflor, Distrito, Ang, Lopez, Rojas, Jardin, Paglumotan, Batapa-Sigue, Palermo and Gamboa — there are two other aspirants who might pull surprises in the May polls. Rounding up my Top 15 list are youthful leader Israel Salanga and newcomer Prospero Leonardia.
Salanga, one of the youngest candidates, came from a family of broadcast journalists. His father, Fred, is a veteran radio announcer while his brother, Mark, is a television reporter. Despite his age, Salanga carries with him a good record in public service. He’s been Bacolod’s youth coordinator as chief of staff of the Sangguniang Kabataan federation for two consecutive terms under the chairmanship of brothers Kevin and Keith Ramos. A student leader during his college days, Salanga has been an active advocate of young people’s rights. What makes Salanga’s political future brighter is the fact that thousands of youth leaders in the barangays have committed to support him. Fondly called as “Nong Is”, Salanga enjoys the trust and confidence of the SK officials whom he has guided and taken care of as the city’s SK coordinator. Nong Is is like an elder brother to them. Nong Is has never failed to advise them on matters pertaining to their duties and responsibilities as SK officials. Nong Is has been their adviser and confidant. For these youth leaders whose lives he has touched, the May election is payback time. Further bolstering Salanga’s chances of making it to the city council is the full backing of last term councilor Dindo Ramos, who is openly endorsing Salanga as his council bet. Knowing Ramos, he will surely work hard to ensure victory for Salanga. A former barangay captain before he became councilor, Ramos has established good relationships with the barangay leaders. Other than this, the outgoing councilor is also viewed as the political kingmaker of the Granada-Alangilan area. After the failed bids of Cesar and Adolfo “Nene” Leonardia in the past two local elections, Prospero stands a good chance of capturing a council seat. Pros, as he is called by family and friends, has been silently working for the administration of their younger brother, Mayor Bing. Like Cesar, Pros is very friendly and outgoing. Just like Nene, Pros maintains professionalism in his dealings. He possesses the good traits of his two elder brothers— a combination of character that would help him win. I was not surprised by the official announcement made yesterday by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson on Prospero’s selection as the candidate who will replace the late Andy Leonardia in the local ticket of the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Grupo Progreso. I already wrote about it last week. I haven’t talked with Pros these past days but I was certain about my analysis. Of the Leonardia siblings, other than Bing, I find Pros the most winnable. His unassuming ways, sincere dealings and overwhelming sense of humility have impressed a lot of people. With Pros Leonardia in the city council, we are assured of a hard working city official who cares not about praises and honors but honest and responsive public service. Cool as he is, Pros could be a good unifier and a possible solution to the worsening political divisions in Bacolod. Definitely, he is a good choice WATCHMEN DAILY JOURNAL
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