By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE ALLEGED political war between Bacolod City’s Mayor Albee Benitez and his noted ally, Abang Lingkod party-list’s Cong. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano seems to be deepening.
The issue on the sitting mayor as a pangayaw or stranger in Bacolod has again surfaced.
Is it also true that Cong. Caraps has made it publicly clear that he cannot swallow what Mayor Albee wants him to do – welcome Bacolod Lone District congressman Greg Gasataya within their political orb?
Considering the close ties of Mayor Albee and Cong. Caraps all these years, many wonder if their so-called feud is real or for reel?
Coffee shops in Bacolod are abuzz. Some say it is still impossible for Cong. Caraps to go astray and figuratively bite Mayor Albee, or cut his political umbilical cord from the mayor.
Some believe this is just a “political drama” for a common mission – Albee’s victory in Bacolod’s congressional race.
Albee publicly supports the candidacy of Greg for mayor. In stark contrast, Cong. Caraps is endorsing Greg’s lone rival, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
Interestingly, both Greg and El Cid support Albee’s congressional bid against former mayor Bing Leonardia. See?
Lately, Cong. Caraps’ tone shifted to being very angry. He’s nixing the mayor to the max. It’s understandable where Cong. Caraps is coming from – the issue on job order workers at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Cong. Carap’s endorsed JO workers were laid off at the end of December last year, and no justification was ever made, according to my source.
Well, if Cong,. Caraps’ tirades against Albee becomes unceasing, the return of the El Cid and Bing tandem – “El-Bing” – is not remote.
El Cid and Bing were former top honchos of the local party Grupo Progreso (GP). But after the 2022 elections when Bing lost to Albee for mayor, and GP disbanded. El Cid, alongside GP councilors Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, Ising Salanga, ABC president Gles Gonzales, joined Albee’s Team Asenso in December 2022.
Bing was left alone. But he mustered enough courage to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for congressman.
Albee, who “refused” to pick a fight against Greg for mayor, decided to face Bing anew, but this time for congressman.
On the other side of the political court, Greg has maintained his silence. He has not issued statements re: the rants of Cong. Caraps against him and Albee.
Prior to the 2022 elections, Greg, Bing, and El Cid were former GPs stalwarts. Albee shattered their formidable political alliance in 2022.
Now, Greg and El Cid are with Albee. But it’s weird that they are fighting for mayor.
Going back to the alleged war between Albee and Cong. Caraps, my source said this is true. And Cong. Caraps may soon be spilling beans.
Oh, really?
Question: Is Albee ready for this? Sadya!
But forgive me. I am not convinced that Cong. Caraps will “go mad” against Albee. More so that he is a term-limited solon. Where will he go after the May 12 elections? What if El Cid loses to Greg?
There are gray areas yet to be answered.
Let’s wait for the campaign proper./PN
