Mayor tells lawmaker: Don't insult village leaders

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Bacolod City Representative Anthony Golez Jr. should not insult the move of the 51 village heads and 55 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in signing a manifesto supporting the mayor’s leadership.

"Saying that these barangay and SK leaders were held hostage in signing the said manifesto is an insult," said Leonardia. “He should remember that, when he planned to run for mayor in the past years, he brought the barangay captains to his residence and let them sign the manifesto of support… and that can be classified as hostage.”

Leonardia said the manifesto of support given to him was made out of the free will of the barangay and SK leaders.

“These leaders can be asked if they received money, forced to sign or whatever that influenced their decision to express their support to his leadership,” he said.

"I have not asked for it. It was freely given," Leonardia said. “Golez should respect the action these leaders.”

The mayor thanked those who signed the manifesto expressing their confidence in his leadership.

"I am very happy about it, considering that 51 out of 61 barangay captains and 55 out of 61 SK chairpersons signed it. I find it timely that they issued a manifesto of support, as the filing of the certificate of candidacy is fast approaching. This is relevant and significant because that will serve as an inspiration and guidance," he said.

Leonardia added that it is humbling on his part to enjoy the trust and confidence of the barangay and SK leaders.

He said that since 2004, when he became mayor of Bacolod, "I can say without fear of contradiction that Bacolod is well off than it was when we started holding the reigns of the City Government. And based on experience, I cannot say that I lack such."