- MITCH M. LIPA
Bacolod Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia and the dominant Grupo Progreso have dropped Congressman Greg Gasataya from their line-up, saying his declaration of neutrality is no longer believable.
Leonardia, in a press conference this afternoon, Nov. 26, said Gasataya’s “neutrality is a sham”.
“He is not anymore showing his neutrality, naka gwa nagid ang kolor nya,” the mayor said of Gasataya.
Leonardia said he received feedback from their solid supporters that they are confused on who their leader is at this time. The mayor said the congressman “being neutral is misleading since his action is not of the group”.
He said Gasataya had not been physically joining many of the GP’s meetings, he’s only attending online.
Other supporters said they were disappointed by Gasataya’s actions in his visits to the different barangays, he added.
Leonardia said they are open to negotiation with other candidates for congressman, when asked about the possibility of GP adopting independent congressional bet Dan Atayde.
“We are open to any alliance with any candidate, there are things being considered,” he said.
When sought for comments, Gasataya said he continues to conduct pocket meetings, and that he does not understand why the mayor called his neutrality a sham.
He said he will listen first to the full press conference called by GP at Forest Park in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod, before he will answer all the issues raised.
Leonardia said everybody is free to say and choose what they believe, but stressed that they consider Gasataya a “half-baked” member of GP.
If a member of their group is not sure of his affiliation, then he should rather not be part of the group, the mayor said.
But he stressed that with all these things happening in their political lives, he will still respect their personal relationship. –MML
