Puentevella: Let the show begin

“LET the show begin,” Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK) mayoralty candidate Monico O. Puentevella said.

This was the statement of Puentevella on Wednesday regarding the withdrawal of mayoralty candidate Julius Sayson from the race with him and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso mayoralty candidate Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

“We are thankful to Julius and his family for this brave gesture. We hope the Saysons can settle their family problems amicably. Now it can be proven that we had nothing to do with this,” Puentevella said.

When asked if the withdrawal of Julius from the race would be advantageous to him, he said, “Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.”

Bacolod Comelec registrar Mavil Majarucon-Sia said the preliminary conference on the petition filed by mayoralty candidate Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson against Julius Sayson will proceed at the First Division of the Comelec in Manila on Monday despite the statement of withdrawal filed by the latter.

The vice mayor filed a petition asking Comelec to declare Julius a nuisance candidate for mayor.

Sayson said he believes that the statement of withdrawal filed by Julius will strengthen his petition seeking the disqualification of his distant relative.

Sia said they received Julius’ statement of withdrawal that was sent through LBC Tuesday, but it cannot be considered valid since Julius has to file it personally at the Comelec office, where he filed his certificate of candidacy.

Julius said, in his statement, he received death threats from unknown camp or individuals.

Meanwhile, with the upcoming one-on-one fight between Puentevella and Jude Thaddeus Sayson, candidate for councilor Alex Paglumutan said he believes Sayson has an edge.

Being a seasoned public servant from barangay chairman, councilor and now vice mayor, he has the capability to be a good mayor of Bacolod, Paglumotan said referring to Thaddeus.

On the other hand, Ramon Viva, spokesman of Puentevella, said Monico is the only congressman who completed his three full terms as congressman of Bacolod and passed 16 laws of national significance.

That is a feat in itself as those laws passed were for the good of the nation. It was not for the naming or re naming of the street or naming a school but laws that affect the whole nation, Viva said. (Carla N. Canet)