BACOLOD City – A new political group has been formed to oppose the ruling Grupo Progreso (GP) in this capital city.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. revealed this yesterday, adding that they have yet to come up with an official name but said it can be abbreviated as “ABB.”
ABB, according to Gamboa, may stand for “Asenso for Better Bacolod,” “Asenso for Best Bacolod,” “Asenso for Booming Bacolod,” or “Asenso para sa Buasdamlag sang Bacolod.”
The new group is an alliance of the Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK), Abang Lingkod Party-list and civil society organizations in Bacolod, said Gamboa.
It is a “unified opposition” against Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia’s GP, the councilor added.
MKK is led by Leonardia’s political nemesis Monico Puentevella while the Abang Lingkod Party-list, by Rep. Stephen Paduano.
Gamboa said the ABB has yet to finalize its slate in view of the 2019 midterm elections.
He added that they are still choosing who will run for councilor among their members. They were also still choosing the “best candidate” for mayor.
Gamboa said they will file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Oct. 16.
The filing of COCs begins today. It will run until Oct. 17.
Meanwhile, Leonardia said GP members will file their COCs today.
The mayor said he will seek reelection together with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Rep. Greg Gasataya.
GP’s candidates for councilor are composed of six reelectionists – Bartolome Orola, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Dindo Ramos, Elmer Sy, and Ana Marie Palermo.
Also running for councilor under GP are former councilors Al Espino, Archie Baribar and Carlos Jose Lopez.
Israel Salanga, Simple Distrito and Marlon Solidum will also run as GP councilor bets./PN
