- NIDA A. BUENAFE
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia remains mum on his choice of the presidential candidate to support, despite the endorsement from Nacionalista Party, where he is a new member, of the candidacy of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Leonardia, who is seeking a re-election in the May 9 elections, said he has not talk yet with the officials of NP, but as far as he is concerned, he is all-out supporting Sara Duterte for vice president.
“I am a new member of NP and I don’t know exactly the culture and the rules and regulations. But I believe our bosses, the Villars, are people who listen,” Leonardia said Wednesday, referring to Senator Cynthia Villar and her husband, Manny Villar, also a former senator.
Whoever he will eventually support, Leonardia said his decision will not be the official stand of Grupo Progreso.
He said that there is a degree of freedom among the GP members and they already discussed each one’s decision, adding that his choice of presidential candidate will not reflect on the personal decision of his partymates in Grupo Progreso.
“There is a degree of freedom among GP members. We already discussed this and there are things that were taken into consideration,” Leonardia said.
He pointed out that Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is also running for re-election, supports Leni Robredo for personal reasons.
“Vice Mayor El Cid’s grandmother is a Gerona, the same family name of Vice President Robredo,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Leonardia, who was once a regular feature in several international boxing fights of presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, said he still considers the boxing icon as a very good friend.
“I consider Manny a very good friend and I have a high respect for him ever since and until now. I have told him about my commitment to support Sara Duterte,” the mayor said.
He added that when he learned about Pacquiao’s scheduled rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Friday, April 1, he interceded and told those in-charge to approve the application and immediately grant the senator’s team a permit./NAB
