• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While he is aiming for a higher position in Bacolod City, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said on Monday (Sept. 30) that he will definitely not run against Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in whatever position he will seek.
“I promised to Mayor Albee that I will not run against him. I will stand by that,” Familiaran said, during the distribution of certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) of his political party, Lakas-CMD, to candidates in Negros Occidental held in Talisay City.
Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, who also attended the activity, confirmed that Familiaran is seeking a higher elective position.
Paduano, who is serving as the caretaker of the Negros Occidental Third District, following the appointment of Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez as the director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), said that he has informed the mayor about the plans of Familiaran since January this year.
It is now the right time for Familiaran to seek a higher position, he added.
Benitez has yet to reveal the position he will be seeking in the May 2025 elections while Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya will end his nine-year term next year.
There have been speculations of a possible switching of positions between Benitez and Gasataya.
During the distribution of the CONA to Lakas-CMD candidates, Paduano raised the hand of Familiaran to signify his full support for whatever higher position he will be aspiring for.
“I will not run away,” the vice mayor quipped.
Meanwhile, the seven Lakas-CMD candidates eyeing the mayoral posts in Negros Occidental are Vice Mayor Nehemiah Joe dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Councilor Mika Escalante of Manapla, Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, lawyer Rowena Lizares of Talisay City, Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco of Toboso, Councilor Añejo Nicor of La Castellena, and former Mayor Mark Golez of Silay City, who resigned from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
Incumbent Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, who is seeking reelection, is a member of the PFP.
Golez said that he already informed TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez and Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, of his decision and that of his runningmate, Councilor Ryan Gamboa.
The seven Lakas-CMD vice mayoral bets are Miguel Zayco of Kabankalan City; Edgy Javellana, Candoni; Ryan Gamboa, Silay City; Edgar Pagayonan, Manapla; Richard Jaojoco, Toboso; Johnny Reosura, Murcia; and Felix Matias Segundo Yulo III, Moises Padilla.
Aside from the 14 mayoral and vice mayoral candidates, 49 councilor aspirants also took their oath as Lakas-CMD members before receiving their respective CONAs. | GB
