BACOLOD City mayoral bet Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and vice mayoralty candidate Jude Thaddeus Sayson were endorsed by the leaders and members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) during a get together held on Saturday, February 2.
Retired brigadier general Raymundo Jarque and retired colonel Jerzon Juarez, who served as former intelligence officer of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the current VFP regional vice president, declared their support to Sigue and Sayson, both allied with former Bacolod mayor and congressional candidate Monico Puentevella and Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano.
Jarque said that before they made their decision, they also sought the presence and assistance of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is seeking re-election in the May elections.
“But nothing concrete was reached,” Jarque said.
They considered Sigue as an alternative candidate who can institute the change they envisioned for Bacolod City.
Jarque said just like President Rodrigo Duterte, who initiated change in his governance, they also would want to see a significant change in the leadership and governance in Bacolod City.
Juarez also expressed how fed up he was because of the many unresolved concerns of Bacolod such as the unmanageable traffic condition and the alleged questionable contracts and deals and the P1.7 billion loan for the city’s flagship projects.
They also have several concerns and issues hounding the city that for them, Sigue can address.
For her part, Sigue welcomed the endorsement of the well-meaning veterans who once held vital positions in the society.
She can never defy a marching order from the former soldiers and the police to institute a relevant change in the political and economic landscape of Bacolod City or else, “it would be insubordination on her part.”
She promised them to give her 101 percent to make her dreams for Bacolod come true.
Earlier, Sigue’s candidacy was also endorsed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who will “exhaust everything” to help the bid of the former councilor.
The governor said Sigue “can help bring development and progress, and even clean Bacolod City.” (CNC)