- MITCH M. LIPA
The messages scrawled on walls and posted along streets of Bacolod, and the testimonies from poor Bacolodnons crying for a change, influenced former congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez to run for mayor of Bacolod City in the 2022 elections.
“Those posters that call on me to run made me decide and when I personally went around to ask their sentiments and to validate, everybody was asking me to run and to lead the change,” Benitez said as he presented his team, including vice mayoral candidate, Atty. Caesar Distrito, under the Asenso for a Better Bacolod (ABB) banner Oct. 5 in a press conference at the Bantug family property in Mountain View Subdivision, Barangay Mandalagan in Bacolod City.
He said he is committed to serve by delivering basic services the easier way.
“It is my duty to make sure that there will be no corruption. We will not tolerate corruption. My track record will speak for itself,” Benitez said.
He said he formed a unity ticket that is composed of new and old personalities in the Bacolod political scene. Benitez said he tried to come up with diverse candidates who can represent the different sectors of society, and will bring progress and change.
The candidates for the Sangguniang Panlungsod are incumbent councilors Simple Distrito, Al Victor Espino and Bart Orola, comebackers Celia Flor, Kalaw Puentevella, Homer Bais, and Sonia Verdeflor, former vice mayor Thaddy Sayson, Pau Sy, Vladimir Gonzales, Patrick Lacson, and Jason Villarosa.
Atty. Andrei Norman Saril was authorized to file the COCs of the whole ABB candidates at the city Comelec Oct. 5.
“I have expressed the direction where I wanted to go and this team has agreed to support and push forward. Our goals, vision and aspirations will define this team. And if I can get these people to join me, then I am confident that the whole Bacolod will join me,” Benitez said.
He said his relatives in Bacolod and several personalities who never participated in the political affairs before are now clearly showing their support.
Atty. Distrito committed to support the vision and plans of Benitez, adding that these goals for progress inspire him to accept the invitation to be his running mate. — MML
