BACOLOD City – Members of the ruling Grupo Progreso (GP) filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Bacolod office yesterday.
Standard-bearer Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia said GP is a “blockbuster team” whose members are “solid and committed.”
He added that if they get elected, they will give Bacolodnons “unity and prosperity.”
Leonardia seeks reelection together with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Bacolod lone district representative Greg Gasataya.
Six incumbent councilors under GP are also seeking reelection – Bartolome Orola, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, and Ana Marie Palermo.
Three former councilors – Al Espino, Archie Baribar and Carlos Jose Lopez – will also run under GP along with three newcomers: Israel Salanga, Simple Distrito and Marlon Solidum.
Before the GP members filed their COCs, they called for a press conference at the Business Inn Hotel yesterday morning. A mass followed at the Bacolod Cathedral at noontime.
From the cathedral, the GP members and their supporters marched to the Comelec office near BAYS Center.
The filing of COCs began yesterday. It will run until Oct. 17.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. on Wednesday said members of a new opposition alliance will file their COCs on Oct. 16.
Their slate was not yet final, he added./PN
