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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Benitez wins Bacolod mayoralty race

Benitez wins Bacolod mayoralty race

Published May 10, 2022 02:29 pm

BACOLOD City -- Former Negros Occidental Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has been elected as the new mayor here, defeating re-electionist Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The Commission on Elections proclaimed the newly-elected officials of the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez (8th from left) at the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall Tuesday. (Glazyl Masculino Photo)

The Board of Canvassers led by Atty. Revo Sorbito, city election officer, along with City Prosecutor Ma. Theresa Ditching, and Reynaldo Gico, officer-in-charge of Schools Division Superintendent, proclaimed the winning candidates at the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall on Tuesday, May 10.

Benitez, who is the standard bearer of Asenso Bacolod, garnered 171,893 votes or 61.53 percent against Leonardia of Grupo Progreso who got 107,447 votes or 38.46 percent.

Benitez, in a media interview, thanked everyone, especially the people of Bacolod who strongly called for change here.

Benitez said that the message is clear and that every election is the validation of what you have done.

Benitez said their group has several plans, including the clean-up since they have to be in a transition period.

He said they will get down to business right away and intend to execute their plans and do their best.

“Change is what they need, so we will make sure we can bring that to them,” he stressed.

Some supporters of Asenso Bacolod who were clad in white, cheered during the proclamation of winners, as the group dominated this year’s election.

Aside from Benitez’s victory, his partymate, re-electionist Congressman Greg Gasataya also won with 185,470 votes, the highest turnout of votes in the local elections here.

Gasataya defeated businessman Dan Atayde who garnered 80,591 votes, Nonong San Miguel who received 850 votes, Romy Gustilo 738 votes, and Willy David 618 votes.

For the vice mayoralty-race, re-electionist Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran topped the race with 128,893 votes against former Councilor Caesar Distrito (103,236 votes) and Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. (32,033 votes).

For councilors, Benitez’s partymate and former Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson received the highest number of votes with 134,635.

Incumbent Councilors Israel Salanga and Cindy Rojas with 123,237 votes and 122,629 votes, respectively.

Em Ang, executive director of Emergency Operations Center (EOC), came in fourth with 116,953 votes; incumbent Councilor Al Espino, fifth, 115,197 votes; businessman Vladimir Gonzalez sixth, 113,145 votes; incumbent Councilor Renecito Novero, seventh, 113,046 votes; SK Chairman Jason Villarosa eighth, 111,027 votes; former Councilor Claudio Puentevella, ninth, 108,950 votes; incumbent Councilor Simple Distrito 10th, 107,030 votes; former Councilor Celia Flor, 11th, 103,768 votes; and Pao Sy (daughter of the late Councilor Elmer Sy), 12th 98,978 votes.

However, only Novero was not present during the said proclamation.

Sorbito said the election here was generally peaceful.

Sorbito thanked all the stakeholders for their cooperation, as he noted that Bacolod has no election-related incidents.

Sorbito added that there were no major technical problems during the election, except for just very simple technical problems that were resolved immediately by the personnel.

He appealed to the candidates to stay humble and to accept the results as it is a clear mandate from the people.

Sorbito said that the newly-elected officials of the city will assume office on June 30, 2022.

The city has 327,403 registered voters but only 290,202 voters were able to actually cast their votes for a high 88.63 percent turnout from 450 clustered precincts, based on the records from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Bacolod.

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