“BIG-TIME endorsement!”

This is how Grupo Progreso (GP) responded when Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte endorsed the re-election bid of Bacolod Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia in the May 13 elections.

Popularly known as “Inday Sara,” the lady mayor raised the hand in support of Leonardia at the Mayor’s Office in the Davao City Hall.

The occasion was witnessed by National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cadema and other guests.

The two mayors also agreed to forge an alliance between the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) and GP, which will be formalized in Bacolod during the campaign period.

Leonardia assured Duterte of the full support of GP for the senatorial lineup endorsed by HNP.

At the same time, HNP is also expected to support the candidacies of Congressman Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the GP slate.

Leonardia paid his courtesy call on the Davao City mayor while he was attending the Inter-Agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs-organized “Rehabinasyon: The 1st National Anti-Drugs Summit” at the Davao Marco Polo Hotel participated in by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Aaron Aquino, Cabinet Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and other top officials of the Duterte administration.

Leonardia was the only mayor invited who attended the Anti-Drugs Summit together with about 300 national delegates.

The presidential daughter was a special guest of the MassKara Festival last year. She graced the street dance competition of the schools' category at the Bacolod Plaza and gave financial assistance to all competing delegations.

She also invited Bacolod to send a MassKara contingent to the Davao Kadayawan Festival this year. (PR)