BACOLOD City mayoralty aspirant Albee Benitez will make an official announcement regarding his political lineup that will challenge Grupo Progreso's political timbers steered by incumbent Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia in the 2022 elections.
Benitez made this announcement through his social media account Albee Benitez on August 26, stating, "The official lineup of candidates for my 2022 slate is still being considered. I will be announcing my decision before the end of September."
There were posts on social media that showed the photo of the mayoralty aspirant and likewise Abang Lingkod Partylist Representative Stephen Paduano, the strong ally of Benitez, bearing the partial lineup of Benitez highlighting the acronym of Katahom VLA Nga Paja. This stands for KAlaw Puentevella; TAddy (Thaddy) Sayson; HOMer Bais; VLAdimir Gonzales; PAtrick Lacson and JAson Villarosa.
There are 12 council seats that need to be filled up in the next election and currently, there are six aspirants that revealed their intention to run in the political camp of Benitez.
But there is no hint as to who will be the congressional and vice mayoralty aspirants who will join Benitez in his strong bid to beat Leonardia and his team.
On record, Leonardia has served the city in 1995-1998; defeated by the former shoeshine boy, the late Oscar Verdeflor in 1998; came back in 2004-2013; elected congressman in 2013-2016 and back as Mayor in 2016 up to the present. Benitez is also a full three-termer congressman of the Third District of Negros Occidental and currently, the known political kingpin in the province.
On the other hand, the Grupo Progreso camp of Leonardia, Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya, and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran has not indicated who will remain and who is leaving their political camp.