- MITCH LIPA
Twenty-eight out of the 31 local chief executives in Negros Occidental support the call for Capitol Consultant and former 3rd District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to run for mayor in Bacolod City in the May 2022 elections.
The mayors, affiliated with United Negros Alliance and Love Negros, signed a statement of support for Benitez on Friday, April 23, a day after the former congressman transferred his voter’s registration from Victorias City to Bacolod.
UNegA Secretary General Mayor Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City said only three mayors in the province have not signed the statement of support. Two of the mayors, he said, are in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
While Benitez has yet to announce his decision, Escalante said the former solon has the full support of the mayors in the province.
“This can boost his confidence if ever he decides to run as Mayor of Bacolod,” Escalante said.
Meanwhile, Benitez said he needs answers to some questions before he makes his decision on whether to run for mayor in Bacolod.
He said he was impressed with the support shown by the Bacolodnons when he went to the COMELEC to file his transfer of registration. – MML
