• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino said that Councilor Homer Bais remains a member of the Team Asenso coalition, despite a clash with party leader, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby last month.
Espino said Nov. 11 that per his talks with party leaders, including Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya, Bais has not been removed from the roster.
However, as a senior member of the coalition, Espino said he personally advocated for an internal party sanction.
Espino explained that any proposed sanction would strictly apply to Bais’ standing within Team Asenso and would not affect his elected mandate as a Sangguniang Panlungsod member.
“I am in the party simply because I believe in the party and what I stand for regarding where Bacolod City is heading, wherever Bacolod is directed, I am with it and with my party. Personally, if I no longer agree, I (will) formally take my leave,” he told reporters.
Espino’s statement comes after Bais said Nov. 4 that his position within Team Asenso had become unclear following recent differences with Benitez and fellow SP members.
Except for Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., all other members of the SP, including Vice Mayor Kalaw Puentevella, ran under the Team Asenso ticket in the midterm elections last year. | TMD
