- MITCH M. LIPA
Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino, who belongs to the Grupo Progreso of incumbent mayor Evelio Leonardia, said he is willing to attend a meeting with the camp of former Negros Occidental congressman Afredo Benitez if he gets an “invitation.”
Espino said that while Grupo Progreso is intact, neither they have discussed any plan for the 2022 elections nor the group’s preparation for the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy, which is four months away.
“I am comfortable being with Grupo Progreso but we all know that politicians come and go depending on principles and what one believes and stands for,” Espino said.
He admitted of working with Benitez before, adding that other members of Grupo Progreso are also waiting for “an invitation” to a meeting with the former Negros Occidental third district representative.
“Everybody right now seems to be busy attending to the needs of our constituents. But anytime I get an invitation, I am willing to sit down and listen to their agenda,” Espino said, referring to Benitez’s camp.
As a public servant who intends to continue serving the people of Bacolod, the he said only by meeting with the “other camp” would he know its agenda and evaluate if they share the same convictions.
Meanwhile, Benitez continues to visit the different barangays in Bacolod City and meet some key leaders in the area.
The former Negros solon transferred his voter’s registration to Bacolod in April, although he has yet to make any formal announcement on his plans for the 2022 elections. — MML
