BY MATÈ ESPINA
ELECTION fever has started and there is nothing bigger to watch out for in this part of Western Visayas than the so-called “Battle Royale” between incumbent Bacolod mayor Bing Leonardia and former Negros Occidental 3rd District representative Albee Benitez.
Gov. Bong Lacson coined it “a super battle royale” last Thursday when Albee, along with a coterie of provincial officials led by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, Abang Lingkod’s Rep. Stephen Paduano, Provincial Board members and several mayors, marched towards the Comelec office to transfer his voter’s registration to Bacolod.
Amidst the rising cases of COVID-19 in the city, footages of the event showed hundreds of people wearing and chanting “Run Albee, Run” as the former congressman left the San Sebastian Cathedral after the mass and walked towards the nearby Comelec office.
Rep. Paduano estimated that some 2,500 supporters joined them despite their call not to converge and just witness the event on social media. But while Albee’s supporters had the bigger voice, chants of “Mayor Bing” from the adjacent Bays Center can be heard over the din.
Albee is recognized as the local political kingmaker in the province. Earlier this year, several streamers of “Run Albee, Run” suddenly sprouted but I initially thought that it was to revive his foiled bid for the Senate.
However, a couple of weeks ago, more streamers were strewn within major city streets of Albee joined by Vice Gov. Jeff in the picture and spreading rumors again that Jeffrey might be the running mate. However, both political parties in the province – Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance – said that it will be a status quo for the governor and the vice governor along with most incumbent officials.
Eerily silent about the supposed challenge is Mayor Bing who has declined to comment about it, saying he is concentrating his efforts in the pandemic. Very surprising as the mayor never shies away from political intrigues and this gives an impression that perhaps, he sees Albee as a serious contender.
True enough, the rift between the province and the city in handling the pandemic at the onset last year was among the reasons raised by Albee as to the clamor for him to run for Bacolod.
Albee, who is presently the provincial consultant for economic affairs, stood out in addressing the crisis by consolidating his force, using his network and donating a huge amount to buy equipment for the molecular laboratory at the provincial hospital.
At the time when swab results take days to a week as these were sent to Iloilo for processing, the molecular laboratory became very helpful and this was attributed to the former congressman.
But more than the donation from Albee, who is also known as a billionaire, the clamor from Bacolod residents started when the city could not align itself with the province in terms of protocols at the height of the pandemic.
It was quite chaotic not to have your protocols aligned especially for incoming travellers because while the city has jurisdiction over the major port, the airport is under the province. Last year too, the province is always ahead in the issuance of its protocols and when the city’s regulations came out, it was contradicting parts of the province’s orders which resulted to a lot of issues since the city remains the capital where most commerce happen and many outside residents travel to the city for work as well.
But while he officially transferred his residency in Bacolod, Albee has not categorically stated that he will run for the mayoralty post, saying that he still has two months to mull over it but said that he could not ignore the clamor.
We made the first step by transferring my voter’s registration, Albee said. But other officials say they will back him up, adding that this may be the only way to ensure that Bacolod and Negros Occidental acts as one and that Bacolod, despite its being a lone district, is still part and parcel of the province.
Albee’s son, Javi who has intimated as well that he will run as mayor of Victorias City, said that the family will support whatever decision his father makes. He added that provincial officials clearly support the idea because “when Bacolod progresses, then so will the province. It’s hard to discount the fact that we are connected despite the separation of both, legislatively.”
Mayor Bing may have his hands full for a loyalty check among his supposed united party as Bacolod’s Cong. Greg Gasataya is also known as a very close friend of Albee, along with several incumbent city councilors.
Months still before the final bid declaration will be made but social media is abuzz and the farm trolls have been activated. While there are netizens who support the bid of Albee, the allies of Mayor Bing haves been doing the rounds of social media pages of news media and many carry the message – we do not want an outsider.
Abangan!/PN
