The Commission on Elections proclaimed the winning candidates in Bacolod City at the BAYS Center before noon yesterday which was dominated by the Grupo Progreso of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Proclaimed were congressman-elect Dr. Anthony Golez Jr., reelectionists Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, all of Grupo Progreso. Leonardia is the first mayor in Bacolod to be serving for three consecutive terms, while Sayson is the first reelected vice mayor of the city and Golez the youngest congressman at 37. The 12 proclaimed councilors were El Cid Familiaran, Homer Bais, Archie Baribar, Roberto Rojas, Catalino Alisbo, Em Legaspi-Ang, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor, Al Victor Espino, Caesar Distrito and Carlos Jose Lopez. Familiaran, Baribar, Alisbo, Verdeflor and Sy belong to the MONOPAL Team, while Bais, Rojas, Ang, Ramos, Espino, Distrito and Lopez belong to Grupo Progreso. During the proclamation, supporters of the Grupo Progreso cheered their candidates when their names were called by the Board of Election Canvassers headed by Bacolod Election Registrar Ryan Castro but booed the candidates of the MONOPAL Team. The winning candidates of Grupo Progreso took their oath before Judge Lorna Demonteverde at the Bacolod City Government Center later in the afternoon. Golez won with 58,708 votes while his closest rival, Renecito Novero, got 45,083 votes. Congressional candidate Ricardo “Cano” Tan got 37,310 votes, John Orola Jr. – 31,127 votes, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue – 17,728 votes and Ramon dela Cruz – 408 votes. Of all the candidates, Leonardia got the biggest number of votes with 93,519, over Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella who got 86,258 votes, Vladimir Gonzalez – 13,647 and Andrea Lizares-Si – 3,547. Sayson got 87,429 votes over Ana Marie Palermo who got 61,616 votes, Wilson Gamboa Jr. – 27,152 and Johram Alama – 1,072. Familiaran got 76,126 votes, Bais – 75,669, Baribar – 73,781, Rojas – 72,498, Alisbo – 69,361, Ang – 68,918, Ramos – 67,822, Sy – 64,918, Verdeflor – 64,877, Espino – 61,155, Distrito – 61,016 and Lopez – 60,057. Alex Paglumotan landed 13th place with 58,708 votes, followed by Philip Montelibano – 57,954, Celia Flor – 57,919, Lorney Dilag – 53,942, Marie Crystal May Vega – 53,128, Bobbie Lucasan – 52,734, Vicente Petierre III – 52,402, Napoleon Cordova – 52,053, Ma. Victoria Garcia – 49,871, Marlon Solidum – 38,964, Jose Maria Regalado Jr. – 36,900, Juan Miguel Estrella – 36,756, Norma Juarez – 34,692, and Adolfo Leonardia – 31,067. Meanwhile, Paglumotan thanked all those, who in one way or another, have supported his candidacy and the Grupo Progreso headed by the mayor, vice mayor, Golez and his reelected colleagues in the Sangguniang Panlungsod Rojas, Espino, Bais and Ramos. He said that although he landed 13th, he greatly appreciate the love, concern and respect the people of Bacolod City have given him in his entire political career. “I humbly accept this fate for I know God has His own will and every reason for any event in a man’s life,” Paglumotan said. He concedes to the victory of all and will always pray for their sincerity in public office, he said. “I am proud to maintain that, during my incumbency in office, I have delivered to the best of my ability and competence the real essence of public service,” Paglumotan said.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
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The "Monico Kabuhi Kp" project of Cong. Monico Puentevella held its general assembly and awarding ceremonies at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park Social Hall last Friday, November 27, 2009.
Some 1,500 represented beneficiaries attended the assembly where 34 of the participants related the benefits they had received through the years since 2001 up to November 15, 2009. According to reports, some 61,254 indigents had already been extended medical, dental, hospitalization benefits since its inception in 2001. Mrs. Josefa "Patching" Puentevella opened the program and apprised the assembly of the MKK project, while Nicky Puentevella in turn related the benefits that had accrued to the beneficiaries. Present at the assembly were Cong. Monico Puentevella, Patching Puentevella, Nicky Puentevella and other members of the family. Probable candidates for councilor of the MONO Team who attended the gathering were: incumbent Councilor Catalino Alisbo, Dr. Norma Juarez, Lyzander "Bong" Dilag, former DILG Regional Director for Western Visayas; El Cid Familiaran, Bobby Lucasan, Atty. Archie Baribar, Marlon Solidum, Atty. Sonia Verdeflor, Elmer Sy, Jose Ma. Regalado among others. How is the winning lineup of our councilors?
I am happy Elcid Familiaran topped the list. On two tries he made, he always landed No. 13. Now, people gave him their mercy. If you don’t win, try and try again. Elcid has proven that it pays to be consistent. And insistent. And there are many more. I don’t have the list. But I think we have a good line up in the city council.* Visayan Daily Star The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has intensified its official canvass of votes in the capital city and appears ready to complete the automated poll process and announce/proclaim the winners to assuage people’s anxiety on the wake of delays in release of the official count and tally.
Grupo Progreso lead by reelectionist Bacolod Mayor Evelio (Bing) Leonardia appears to have sewed up most of the major elective posts in the capital city, following the fractious and sometimes controversial count being undertaken at the BAYS Center. The partial official results of the Comelec canvass from 307 clustered precincts representing 82.41% as reported over Bombo Radyo early at dawn today showed the front-running bets for congressman as follows: Dr. Anthony Golez, 48,276 votes, beating his closest rival Atty. Renecito Novero who scored 36,994 with a margin of 11,282 votes. For the mayoralty race, reelectionist Mayor Evelio Leonardia had 77,594 votes over his main rival Congressman Monico Puentevella who got 71,817 for a majority vote of 6,677 votes. For the vice mayoralty, reelectionist Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson garnered 73,073 votes for a majority of 22,155 votes over his nearest rival Atty. Ann Marie Palermo who scored 50,817 votes. The 15 leading candidates for Bacolod councilor are: El Cid Familiaran, 63,553; Homer Bais, 63,259; Archie Baribar, 61,486; Roberto Rojas, 60,412; Catalino Alisbo, 57,745; Em Legaspi Ang, 57,460; Dindo Ramos, 56,327; Elmer Sy, 54,319; Sonya Verdeflor, 54,187; Caesar Distrito, 51,254; Al Victor Espino, 51,031; Carl Lopez, 49,855; Alex Paglumotan, 49,041; Celia Flor, 48,686; and Philip Montelibano, 48,007.* Reelectionist Bacolod Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia appears to have posted a slim 3,000-vote margin over Congressman Monico Puentevella based on partial unofficial results from 107 clustered precincts in the capital city as of early this morning.
The partial unofficial returns compiled by Aksyon Radyo Bacolod showed Leonardia having scored 32,630 votes over Puentevella’s 29,418 votes as of 4:00 a.m. today. Dr. Anthony Golez, running-mate of Leonardia for congressman also appears to have edged his closest rival, former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero based on partial returns. In the vice mayoralty contest, reelectionist Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson leads his rivals, Ann Marie Palermo and Councilor Wilson "Jun" Gamboa. The initial tally showed the first 12 candidates for councilor of Bacolod City: Homer Bais, Archie Baribar, El Cid Familiaran, Catalino Alisbo, Roberto Rojas, Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor, Em Legaspi Ang, Dindo Ramos, Caesar Distrito, Carl Lopez and Al Victor Espino.* AROUND 10,000 supporters of Monopal team joined the "Grupo Serbisyo miting de avance" Friday night at the South Capitol Road, Bacolod City.
The Monopal team is led by mayoralty candidate Representative Monico Puentevella, congressional candidate Renecito Novero, vice mayoralty candidate Ann Marie Palermo and 12 candidates for councilor. Puentevella lauded the support of their supporters in 61 barangays of Bacolod, claiming that hard work really paced-off, performance and experience has touched so many lives in Bacolod through the "Monico Kabuhi Ko" program. He said that it's now the time to change the present administration of the city. "The people want some change, and this is the group (Grupo Serbisyo) that would be an alternative." Stressing that signs are crystal clear that Bacolenos are tired of the present administration, the Monopal Team Grupo Serbisyo vowed to save Bacolod from staggering debts amounting to over P1 billion, rid City Hall of corruption, lead the city on the road to moral recovery, deliver basic services without a hitch, bring government closer to the people and stir the local economy by developing new growth areas. Before an estimated torch-bearing crowd coming from West Negros University at Burgos area, Bangga Pepsi in Barangay Bata and the Business Inn along Lacson Street, the three-term congressman assured the city's 851 puroks in 61 barangays to strengthen the Monico Kabuhi Ko (MKK) as a vehicle for an efficient social welfare and health service delivery program, a proposal openly supported by former vice mayor Novero and Palermo. Change "The signs are crystal clear. The sign showed Bacolod wants change," said Puentevella, as he thanked the thousands of cheering supporters attending the Monopal miting de avance, whose lives he has touched through the MKK, which to date had served over 60,000 indigent residents. Indicative that Bacolenos are really clamouring for change, Puentevella explained, were the many instances when barangay folks themselves refused to entertain their rivals during their hand-shaking and barangay sorties. Bacolod wants a new set of officials. The people look up to the Monopal slate as their alternative. They are tired of the Voltes 5, the overpriced projects especially the New Government Center, the wanton abuse of local resources and mostly recently, the sex scandal involving the officials themselves, the solon said, as the crowd applauded wildly. The Monopal grand rally was opened with an ecumenical prayer led by Pastor Quirico Lauron and Mulsim Imam Omar Betita with the Ramos-Dizon Singing Youth Ambassadors providing most of the entertainment numbers. The mammoth crowd that the miting had generated, Puentevella said, is a confirmation of the Monopal's consistent campaign and continued genuine service. It was estimated that more than half of the attendees were MKK beneficiaries. Tears rolled In her speech, preceded by the video clip with "Bacolod Live Sex" scandal victim Chris Murakami detailing how she was allegedly abused by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, and Councilors Alex Paglumotan, Dindo Ramos and Wilson Gamboa Jr., Palermo could not help but shed tears over the abusive acts of local officials who were supposedly mandated to lead and serve the people. "Do we allow their continued presence at City Hall? You have seen and heard the testimonies of Ms. Murakami, what happened to our so-called moral responsibility, our propriety being public servants? Women should be treated with high respects," said the emotional Palermo, who got wild cheers from the crowd. Priorities If victorious after the Monday balloting and proclaimed the new mayor, Puentevella promised to expand the MKK, fast-track the completion of the Bacolod Lung, Heart and Kidney Center, study the increase of the teacher's ECOLA, build more Day Care Centers, improve education facilities, including a program that will offer free post-graduate studies for teachers and elevate related educational package for mentors and students alike. "I am giving credit to God for all these blessings and the good health he had provided me and the rest of the Monopal Team these last 45 days. He has guided us to become better public servants," he added. Issues Puentevella, Novero and Palermo also led in revealing the numerous "ills" plaguing the city under Leonardia that drew rounds of laughs and more wild jeers. Also highlighting the grand rally, was the video showing of the ill-gotten wealth of Leonardia, his houses and properties, cars and expensive possessions which were not registered in Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN). Also shown were the photos of what appeared as "palatial" residences and fleet of cars of the once "average guys" namely Councilors Homer Bais, Alex Paglumotan, Greg Gasataya, among others. The councilor bets also took potshots at the "Voltes 5" for alleged questionable wealth in a short span of time. Iglesia support Interviewed by the media before the start of the miting, Puentevella refused to answer when pressed whether Leonardia was junked on the 11th hour. "What I know of was that the INC had endorsed my bid for the mayorship," he replied, as he dismissed disinformation spread by his rival that he left for Manila in an effort to lobby with the INC. "I never left Bacolod. I was busy campaigning," added Puentevella, as he pointed out that such spin does not surprise him at all, as in past occasions they have misled Bacolenos with lies and half-truths. He also laughed off a question whether he had secured a permit for the Monopal grand rally saying that they even twisted the facts about the flyover project initiated by the Congressional District Office and the Department of Public Works and Highways, the new hospital, the Manny Pacquiao endorsement photo, among others. "We are happy here at the Capitol Lagoon South Road. It is here where I was blessed by the Almighty. It was here that we won three terms in Congress. This is a clear sign," Puentevella said. Novero's agenda Confident of victory on Monday, Novero outlined his legislative agenda by first, filing bills that would call for amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991, upgrade teachers salaries and strengthen both the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS). One of the features to an amended Local Government Code, Novero explained, is the promotion of the puroks. Under the present set-up, the barangay is the basic unit of government, but the proposed purokism, our puroks will be strengthened by giving them legal personality. "With the strengthening of our puroks, we are in effect, bringing the people closer to the people," Novero, a respected legal luminary said. Completing the Monopal slate are councilor bets Catalino Alisbo, Archie Baribar, Lorney Lyzander Dilag, El Cid Familiaran, Buen Gallenero, Ma. Victoria Nanette Garcia, Norma Juarez, Bobbie Lucasan, Jose Maria "Totong" Regalado Jr., Marlon Solidum, Elmer Sy, and Sonya Verdeflor. Survey Puentevella has topped the three Bombo Radyo-initiated surveys for the mayoralty race from February to April, overwhelming incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia. Latest results of the Random Access Consultant Inc. (RACI) survey conducted between April 24 to 26, 2010 showed Puentevella leading Leonardia by 12.5 percent after garnering 49.3 percent against the mayor's 36.8 percent. Leonardia's acceptability and popularity was also down by 3.3 percent based on identical 40.1 percent results during the Bombo RACI polls last February and March. On the other hand, Puentevella posted 42.5 percent in February and 49.4 percent in March. Sun star Mayorable Monico Puente-vella and his MONOPAL team held their "Miting de Avance" grand rally last night at the Capitol South Road teeming with close to 40,000 supporters surrounding the front and back of a makeshift stage reaching to the farthest portion of the Capitol Lagoon.
The crowd stayed even beyond 11:00 P.M. towards midnight and where screams and cheers did not waver until the last part of the program. In his message, Puentevella stressed that if elected, he will have to suspend the City’s payment of P1 Billion debt, questioned those debts in court so that savings can be had and channeled to social services. Among these services is to increase the budget for free hospitalization, expansion of the "Monico Kabuhi Ko" (MKK), and increase teachers’ Emergency Cost of Living Allowances (Ecola) contrary, he said, to some talks spread by the other camp that this will be abolished. To counter hunger, livelihood projects will be expanded through the improvement of the three major markets rather than being privatized; this includes the improvement of the vendors’ plaza which can accommodate more microentrepre-neurs, Puentevella added. Also, he said, in the area of education, a site will be chosen for Bacolod City College backed by the establishments of more day care centers and expand the City’s scholarship program. Puentevella vowed not to hold office at the "enemies’ palace" which is the Bacolod Government Center or sit at the P200 thousand worth of the Mayor’s office; instead, the Government Center will be converted to house national offices like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) and the National Statistic Office. He will hold office at the old City Hall to make himself accessible to people from all walks of life. Supporters applauded when Puentevella announced that all Senior Citizens will not have to pay when watching movies. Puentevella was emotional while narrating that during the campaign, there were people who approached him and showed gratitude rather than ask money; these are people whose loved ones were saved by MKK. Tears fell from his eyes as he compared MKK to other social services, even as more than 16 as he managed to pass major laws, 15 Barangay Gyms, national highways he built adjudged as among the best in the country and the outer circumferential "sugar" road built at the back of Brgy. Handumanan. Puentevella announced though that before the year ends, the Bacolod Heart, Lung and Kidney Center will already be operational. Meanwhile, Archie Bari-bar, being the last to speak among the candidates for councilor, summarized his colleagues’ major programs, among them, Catalino Alis-bo’s program for senior citizens, Lorney Lyzander Dilag for barangay development program, El Cid Familiaran for free health services, Buen Gallenero for tourism, Ma. Victoria Garcia for the establishment of day care centers. Norma Juarez for education and scholarship, Bobbie Lucasan for social services, Jose Maria Regalado, Jr. for entreprenuership, Marlon Solidum for poverty alleviation, Elmer Sy for his "may consuelo and Bacolod", and Sonya Verdeflor for development of the Bacolod manufacturing sector, among others.* By Gil Alfredo B. Severino The MONOPAL Team Grupo Serbisyo lead by Cong. Monico Puentevella, former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, and ex-Councilor Ana Marie Palermo, will hold a grand rally tonight at the South Capitol Road, following a 6 p.m. torch parade that will start from various strategic areas in Bacolod City.
The South Capitol Road is symbolic for Puentevella, who held his last three miting de avance in the site - in 2001, 2004 and 2007 - when he ran and subsequently won as congressman for three terms. The MONOPAL Team slate banners Puentevella as its candidate for mayor; Novero, for congressman; and Palermo, for vice mayor. Those running for councilor are Catalino Alisbo, Archie Baribar, Lorney Lyzander Dilag, El Cid Familiaran, Buen Gallenero, Ma. Victoria Nanette Garcia, Norma Juarez, Bobbie Lucasan, Jose Maria "Totong" Regalado Jr., Marlon Solidum, Elmer Sy, and Sonya Verdeflor. The torch parade and rally will be joined by about 15,000 supporters of the MONOPAL Team coming from the 61 barangays of the city. Sectoral representatives and allies from various groups and organizations in the city will show their support to the MONOPAL Team as well. Local supporters of presidential candidate Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, standard bearer of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, will also join the proclamation rally. Puentevella topped the three Bombo Radyo-initiated surveys for the mayoralty race from February to April, prevailing incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia. Latest results of the Random Access Consultant Inc. (RACI) survey conducted between April 24 to 26, 2010 showed Puentevella leading Leonardia by 12.5 percent after garnering 49.3 percent against the mayor’s 36.8 percent. Leonardia’s acceptability and popularity was also down by 3.3 percent based on identical 40.1 percent results during the Bombo RACI polls last February and March. On the other hand, Puentevella posted 42.5 percent in February and 49.4 percent in March.* |
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