BACOLOD City – Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan won’t be running for mayor in the 2019 midterm elections.
This Tan announced in a press conference he called for at his residence on Thursday.
Bacolod’s No. 1 councilor said his “time for good governance” as mayor has not yet come.
“There is always a time for every purpose,” Tan stressed.
Tan earlier said he would run for mayor next year under the Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK), a local political group led by former mayor Monico Puentevella.
According to Councilor Caesar Distrito, Tan withdrawing from the mayoralty bid “disorganized” the rivalry between the MKK and Grupo Progreso (GP), another local political group led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Tan said he expects his decision to trigger “attacks, malicious imputations and unfounded accusations” but he stressed that he has made up his mind.
He also said he would not seek reelection next year.
“That shows the political opposition is in disarray,” said Distrito, adding that Tan’s withdrawal made GP stronger./PN
