CANDIDATES. The top officials of Bacolod City show their certificates of candidacy on the last day of filing before the Commission on Elections on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024). Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya (left) and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (center) are running for mayor and congressman, respectively, while Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran is also gunning for mayor in the May 2025 elections. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya here switched posts, running for congressman and mayor, respectively, under Team Asenso Bacolod in the May 2025 elections.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran is challenging Gasataya for the mayoral post as both are set to finish their three terms after the elections next year.
“I thank Mayor Albee and the Team Asenso for the trust they have given me. It’s not that Mayor Albee is going to leave us; it’s only that when you’re in a team, you have to play different roles with one common objective. That is, do everything that we can to make Bacolod a super city,” Gasataya said during a press conference at SMX Convention Center after filing their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections on Tuesday.
Benitez’s move is expected to pave the way for his return to the House of Representatives after serving as congressman of the neighboring Third District of Negros Occidental from 2010 to 2019.
“At this stage, I will make sure that all the legislations and congressional acts that I’ll be doing are aligned with ensuring the acceleration of the mission to make Bacolod a super city,” Benitez said.
Benitez will have a rematch against former mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is also running for congressman, after losing his reelection bid to the incumbent mayor in the 2022 elections.
Joining Benitez and Gasataya are Councilor Jesus Puentevella running for vice mayor under the Asenso Bacolod line up and the aspirants for 12 seats in the City Council, including incumbent councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor and Psyche Marie Sy.
The four others are former councilors Caesar Distrito, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos, and Homer Bais.
Meanwhile, Familiaran, who is running for mayor for the first time, teamed up with Councilor Renecito Novero as his vice mayoral candidate.
Novero, whose three terms will also end next year, was the vice mayor of Bacolod City from 2004 to 2007.
Joining them for the City Council seats are former councilors Archie Baribar, Ann Marie Palermo, and Wilson Gamboa Jr. (PNA)
