BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is visualizing a "battle royale" should former third district rep. Alfredo "Albee" Benitez decides to run against incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia in the May 2022 elections.
“That’s how close it’s going to be,” was the statement of Lacson regarding the potential tight battle between Benitez and Leonardia.
While Lacson expressed his support to Benitez, the governor said he will reveal his reasons soon.
Speculations of Benitez running for the mayoralty race snowballed after he officially transferred his voter's registration here from Victorias City.
For lawyer and political analyst Joel Dojillo, the persistent buzz about Benitez running for Bacolod mayor can also be attributed to the frustrations of some sectors with Leonardia’s administration as well as with the incumbent mayor’s ‘Grupo Progreso’.
Dojillo said that Albee’s plan involves a protracted campaign to gain control of most, if not all of Bacolod’s barangays. But in fact, he suspects this has long been in the making, all leading to last Thursday’s transfer of voter registration fanfare.
“It would be sheer naivete to think Benitez's decision to run as Bacolod mayor was simply plucked out of thin air, or impulsively formed on waking up from some inspiring dream,” Dojillo said.
“I say the move is a calculated one, formed after a meticulous assessment and “testing of the waters” all this time,” added Dojillo.
Meantime, Benitez said he still has until October to decide, and has only two political options left – either to run for mayor here or as senator.