BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio Leonardia has transferred to the Nacionalista Party (NP) from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).
Leonardia made the announcement on Wednesday, as he sought re-election here on his last term.
Leonardia who heads the local political coalition “Grupo Progreso” (GP), said that he is the official candidate being supported by NP in the mayoralty race here.
Before he left the NPC, Leonardia said that he was able to talk to the NPC officials as well as to NPC president and Senate president Vicente Sotto III.
Meanwhile, Leonardia revealed the members of his slate in a press briefing at Acacia Hotel here that day, before they all filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Leonardia’s runningmate is still Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who also sought re-election, while the group’s councilor bets were - incumbent Councilors Cindy Rojas, Carlos Jose Lopez, Dindo Ramos, Renecito Novero, Israel Salanga, and Archie Baribar, who also sought re-election under the same local political coalition.
Other councilor aspirants were former councilor and now executive director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Em Ang, together with her deputy for medical and data analysis, Dr. Chris Sorongon, who both resigned from their appointed positions, former Barangay 18 Captain Jonathan Diaz, former Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) president Eddie Guillem, broadcaster Marlon Solidum, and Information technology expert Cash Montalvo, who is the daughter of former Mayor Jose Montalvo.
It can be recalled that three GP members recently resigned from the group and transferred to the group of former Negros Occidental Cong. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who is also running for mayor here.
Leonardia described their slate as a perfect combination of experience, competence, track record, youth and even gender sensitivity.
Leonardia said that his slate will bring Bacolodnons to the road to recovery, as he assured them that they will put Bacolod back on track.
He also noted that under the circumstances, health will still continue to be a top priority.
Meanwhile, GP is still supporting incumbent Bacolod Cong. Greg Gasataya, despite announcing his neutrality.