BACOLOD City – The top two political leaders of this city officially switched roles for the 2025 midterm elections following their filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) yesterday, October 8.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who leads the Team Asenso, filed his COC for congressman while Lone District’s Rep. Greg Gasataya, who is now on his third and last term, will run for mayor.
Other members of the team who filed their COCs were Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella who will be Gasataya’s running mate as vice mayor and their 12 candidates for councilors namely, incumbent councilors Thaddy Sayson, Al Victor Espino, Celia Flor, Jason Villarosa, Vladimir Gonzales, Em Ang, Pao Sy, and Israel Salanga; Singcang-Airport punong barangay Caesar Distrito who replaced his mother, Councilor Simplicia Distrito; and former councilors Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas and Atty. Dindo Ramos.
“As I have mentioned, even when I started campaigning, the dream is to bring Bacolod to another level,” the mayor said.
He added: “There is a need to reach that goal for our city, and being a mayor I may not be able to perform those tasks. That is why I thought that it would be better if I can be closer to the national scene, closer to the people who can contribute more to the development of the city.”
He also assured his constituents that Cong. Gasataya will continue what he had started./PN
