Vice mayor: Choose Jude or Julius but not Puentevella

NATIONALIST People’s Coalition Grupo Progreso mayoralty candidate Jude Thaddeus Sayson said he is giving the people the leeway to choose between him and Julius Sayson in next year’s elections, as long as they will not choose Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan mayoralty bet Monico Puentevella.

Jude Thaddeus, the incumbent Bacolod City vice mayor, believes that it was Puentevella who pushed his relative, Julius, to run for mayor in next year’s polls.

“If worse comes to worst that Julius will not be disqualified, let the people choose between the two Saysons,” the vice mayor said.

He sent a message to Julius that if he is serious in running, he should come out in the open.

"Go home, be visible and accessible to everyone, especially the media because that is the safest thing to do," he said.

The vice mayor also said that his family is concerned about the safety of Julius and whoever he is with, adding that they don't know his whereabouts.

"We don't know the plans of people who are with him. That is also a concern. Going into hiding, it only shows that he has a wrong motive," said the vice mayor.

He believes that Julius is not hiding, but is being kept by people who have interest in him, “especially that he is a namesake who can confuse the people about the real and serious candidate for mayor.”

The vice mayor contends that it will be safer for Julius if he can be seen publicly, adding that the media can be the best persons to protect him.

"How long will they hide Julius? Whatever will happen to him, God forbid, they might charge it to me which is very unfair. I appeal to him to go out and have media access any time. If media has an access on him 24 hours, then he will be safe and be protected. That is the beauty of the media profession because they can protect anybody from harm and danger," he said.

Vice Mayor Sayson also denied having a deeply-rooted family feud, saying that, as far as he knows, they don't have any conflict with the elder Saysons.

"But I cannot answer it specifically because those who can best answer it are already dead. In fact, yesterday was the death anniversary of my father, the late Jovito Sayson. I hope they bury the hatchet and the past. Let us spare the elder Saysons from this conflict. Tiyoy Jose who is the grandfather of Julius and my father Jovito are all dead. I am the youngest in the family and I cannot answer for it," he said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that even if there are seven Saysons running for the same post, Jude Thaddeus will still be chosen by the people.

Leonardia said he is hoping that the candidates will just play fairly.