FIRST TO FILE. Former Bacolod City mayor Evelio Leonardia files his certificate of candidacy for congressman of the city’s Lone District before the Commission on Elections Monday afternoon (Oct. 1, 2024). Leonardia is seeking to return to politics after a failed reelection bid against incumbent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in the May 2022 elections. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY–Former mayor Evelio Leonardia was the first to file a certificate of candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here Monday to formalize his bid for representative of this city’s Lone District in the May 2025 midterm elections.
A member of the Nationalista Party, Leonardia, a congressman for a single term from 2013 to 2016, is seeking to return to politics after a failed reelection bid against incumbent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in the May 2022 elections.
“I feel it’s about time for me to move to the next level. I want to widen my horizons and serve the people on a different level,” he said, adding that he has nothing more to prove after serving as city mayor for six terms or 18 years.
Rep. Greg Gasataya will vacate the position of the Lone District congressman after he completes his three terms by June next year.
One of Leonardia’s possible challengers could be Benitez, whose spokesperson, Singcang-Airport village chief Caesar Distrito, said the mayor is “90 percent” decided to run for congressman.
At the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol here, Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez was the first to file a COC for a second term.
She was joined by reelectionist board member Jeffrey Tubola and her nephew, Sipalay City Councilor Ralph Alvarez, who is also seeking a seat on the Provincial Board.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo also filed his COC for a board member of the Fourth District along with Paula Alonso, daughter of incumbent board member Jose Benito Alonso, who is eyeing the vice gubernatorial post as the running mate of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. (PNA)
