BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Albee Benitez and Rep. Greg Gasataya swapped posts in the 2025 elections.
Benitez, who is in his first term, is running for congressman while Gasataya, in his third and last term, is vying for mayor.
THE Asenso Team slate led by congressional candidate Mayor Albee Benitez (seventh from left) and outgoing Bacolod City Rep. and mayoral candidate Greg Gasataya (eighth from right) at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Tuesday, October 8. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Caesar Distrito)
They led the complete slate of Asenso Team in filing their Certificates of Candidacy before the Commission on Elections-Bacolod on Tuesday, October 8.
Clad in white, they met their supporters at the public plaza after Mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral.
Benitez faces former Mayor and former Bacolod Rep. Evelio “Bing” Leonardia for a second time. The mayor defeated Leonardia for mayor in 2022. Leonardia, who is without a slate, filed his COC on October 1.
Benitez presented Asenso Team composed of vice mayoral candidate Councilor Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella and 12 councilors at SMX Convention Center.
In a press briefing, Benitez said that it took time and careful consideration before he finalized his decision to switch positions with Gasataya.
“It took a while, and we thought deeply about it. In fact, I didn’t announce it until the last day to ensure that everything aligned with our vision for the city,” Benitez said. “I feel that if I’m closer to the national scene and the people who can contribute to Bacolod’s development, maybe I should be in a different position,” he added.
Benitez said that he felt more prepared for the election.
Gasataya will face his former party-mate in Grupo Progreso, outgoing Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who filed his COC on Tuesday afternoon with running mate last-term Councilor Renecito Novero and nine city council aspirants.
Gasataya thanked Benitez and acknowledged that succeeding the mayor is challenging.