Golez to seek reelection as Independent-NPC

BACOLOD City Lone District Representative Anthony Golez Jr. said that he will seek reelection in the 2013 polls as an independent but Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) member.

This as he considers that his challenger, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, was already endorsed by the NPC national leadership as the official candidate of the party for congressman.

As long as the Bacolodnons are with him, Golez said it is fine even if he runs as an independent but NPC member candidate for congressman.

"I am still an NPC member. In the by-laws of the NPC, the official candidate is going to emanate from the nomination coming from the local party. However, if the previous chairman of the party in the city has plans of running for congressman, all he has to do is to kick out the incumbent congressman from the party self-servingly and let him run for congressman,” Golez said.

Golez said such situation has already been predictable since 2010 after he helped the Grupo Pregreso. He said he was never invited in the functions and was attacked everyday from the time that they sat down in their new positions.

"So with that, if you asked me, if I have a party, a group, or a slate, I am still waiting officially that they will kick me out and after which that is the time for me to think of what's the next episode for me.”

Golez, however, said that he is not a traitor against his fellow NPC.

He stressed that the dynamics in the local NPC are different, adding that it is still the people who will vote for those seeking elective post.

When asked why he did not attend the NPC gathering last Saturday, Golez explained that the event for Bacolod City is different from the province, adding that he doesn’t want to go to events where he is not invited.

As to the political groups that invited him to join their slate, he said, "I will do my best to retain my post. But I was awarded as the Most Outstanding Congressman. But if the people choose the other than the outstanding congressman, then I will respect the choice of the people."

As to the manifesto of support, Golez said, "Monico Puentevella said he has 55 barangay captains supporting him. Four months ago, 45 barangay captains signed the same manifesto supporting me. Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson said he has 40 plus barangay captains supporting him. I did not know if the barangays in Bacolod have increased because of this manifesto."

Golez said, “But one thing is for sure. The barangay is dependent on the Office of the Mayor with regards to the Annual Investment Plan (AIP). A small barangay receives P300,000 worth of infrastructures. Big barangay receives a million worth of infrastructures. One has a monthly share of P20,000 from Pagcor, each barangay with 20 to 30 families have jobs. If the mayor asks the barangay to sign a manifesto, will they refuse? We have a hostage crisis taking incident in Bacolod Mayor Bing style.”

This came after as 55 out of 61 barangay captains and 59 Youth Council chairmen signed a manifesto of support for Leonardia for him to continue serving the people. (Carla N. Canet)