BACOLOD City – Four allies of Mayor Evelio Leonardia have joined the team of billionaire businessman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez in the 2022 national and local elections.
They were Councilor Bartolome Orola, who will seek re-election for a third consecutive term; Councilor Simplicia Distrito who is seeking a second term; lawyer Caesar Distrito, former three-termer councilor, who will run for vice mayort; and Pao Sy, daughter of the late councilor Elmer Sy, who was then allied with Leonardia from first to second terms.
The four used to be members of Grupo Progreso (GP), a local aggrupation of political parties here that Leonardia leads.
Leonardia is seeking reelection. He is being challenged by Benitez, former congressman of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.
Incumbent councilor Al Espino, who will seek reelection for a third term, was the first to bolt out the Leonardia camp./PN
