Local News: VM Position Still Open: Leonardia
As Chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Bacolod City, we have talked with several consitituents or made a deal with anyone regarding the vice mayorship in Bacolod City. Thus said Mayor Evelio Leonardia regarding the issues on the vice mayor slot who will be running in tandem with incumbent Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson as standard bearer in the up coming election. He said, "in other words, if I told you months ago that this position is open, up to this point in time, again I tell you that it is still open. We have talked to so many people even also made our formal and informal surveys, and of course, the primary importance is the consultation with our senior officers and including our chairman. We will not make announcements without clearance from our top officers."
When asked about the rumored come back of former Vice Mayor Renecito Novero with the group if he will be included in the meeting of NPC, Leonardia said, "well, that is supposed to be everybody and anybody. We have no control on the schedule, and we are not the only ones attended by the NPC. Everybody is aware that the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy is October 1-5.
Regarding the reaction of three graduating councilors, Leonardia commented, "it’s between them and NOVERO, I did not take it personally at all because not all councilors are present during my birthday so I don’t expect all will come..
I just want to clarify that this thing is being exploited and manipulated especially by our political opponents.
Example, VM Thaddy left the lunch together with Councilor Bobby Rojas because I requested them to attend the meeting of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) because I was supposed to open the meeting and welcome them, but I am thankful to Vice Mayor Sayson to was there in my absence It was just proper protocol that VM and Rojas represented me in the meeting. But look, what happened, they called it a walk out. It is really far from the truth, and a clear manipulation by others to create intrigues and chaos leading to unfavorable image on our part. As to the post for vice mayor, if it will come from the Grupo Progreso, the mayor insisted, "when we say Open, that is open. Those things will be considered. We have been talking lots of things with the vice mayor especially his running mate because it is impossible to give him someone whom he can just work smoothly.
Leonardia did not confirm if Cong. Anthony Golez is an NPC member, his answer, "that is what he claims. However, he keeps saying he is NPC, but he is sabotaging NPC. As to the equity of incumbent, the mayor said, NPC records show that Sayson is the vice chairman. Actually in the constitution and by laws of NPC there is no such things as equity of incumbent. So it maybe practiced but not absolute.*
