BCWD chief officially endorsed as NPC vice mayoralty bet

BACOLOD City Water District director Greg Gasataya was officially endorsed by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) as the vice mayoralty bet in the city.

Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, NPC mayoralty candidate, announced Tuesday the certificate of nomination and acceptance of Gasataya as the party's official candidate for vice mayor in the 2013 polls.

Sayson said he welcomed the nomination of Gasataya to be his running mate along with Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Sayson said Gasataya is considered as part of the team as the latter is also involved in the Grupo Progreso Team (GPT) of Leonardia.

Leonardia said: "We went to a long process of evaluating of who is fit to run for vice mayor for the NPC team. We were agonizing in the selection process because we know that many in our group have the capability, eligibility and track record for the position.”

“We have a number of them in our group. But as we are nearing the selection process, we have consulted the NPC superiors and we were grateful that they help us find the best one. The list that we gave the national directorate included nine names," Leonardia added.

BACOLOD. Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) District Chair Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia raises the hands of Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson (L) and Greg Gasataya as the official Grupo Progreso-NPC bets for mayor and vice-mayor, respectively, in the 2013 polls at the Planta Centro Hotel Tuesday. (Gilbur L. Guarte)

The officials of the NPC chaired by Governor Faustino Dy, former Congressman Frisco San Juan, Secretary General Congressman Leandro Mendoza and Congressman Henry Cojuangco also showed interest of the local party.

Meanwhile, Gasataya extended his gratitude to the NPC for choosing him as the official candidate for vice mayor in Bacolod City.

Gasataya said his family thought about the plan when Leonardia informed him that he was included in the list of probables.

Gasataya, 41, who was the former Committee on Education chairman, planned to give more focus on education. (Carla N. Canet)