ABANG Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano denied rumors that he is joining the political scene in Bacolod City.

Paduano said in an interview yesterday that he is seeking reelection under Abang Lingkod.

“That's not true. I have no inclination of running for mayor of Bacolod City or congressman for the Lone District of Bacolod. (But) many have signified their support and help if I join politics in Bacolod,” the Negrense lawmaker.

Meanwhile, Paduano said he is still hoping that the merger between Love Negros and United Negros Alliance will still push through despite the declaration of Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. that there will no more merger between the two local political teams.

Paduano said that nothing political was discussed in Tuesday's meeting of the NPC in its headquarters in Balete Drive, Quezon City.

“It was an honor and a great privilege to be invited in that gathering. It was just a social gathering. For the record, during the endorsement, and lunch with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Abang Lingkod was not invited," he added.

Paduano was known as Carapali Luahalti when he was still national commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).

He headed the RPA-ABB for more than 10 years, but he resigned in 2012 when he was named nominee of Abang Lingkod.