BARELY a month prior to the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections, politics in Bacolod City continues to heat up with some questions on trust and loyalty among local coalition members arising.
On Tuesday, September 7, a manifesto signed by 49 barangay captains in Bacolod City urging Representative Greg Gasataya to stay with Grupo Progreso (GP) surfaced amid the reported group's split-up.
A copy of the manifesto obtained by SunStar Bacolod from a source stated that the punong barangays are humbly expressing their strong appeal to Gasataya "to remain true in his bond with GP in the same way that Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and the rest of the GP City Councilors had repeatedly shown their unquestionable cohesion with the GP."
"We have in our midst for more than a decade the warm and cordial personality of Congressman Gasataya with his participative leadership that we believe to have been molded by the unity in the GP," they said.
They added that the last 2019 election had proven the gains of the group's unity when they won the positions of mayor, vice mayor and congressman and obtained 11 out of 12 seats at the City Council.
The barangay captains, who signed the manifesto, stressed that GP has been in the service of the people of Bacolod City, bringing progress and efficient delivery of social welfare for the common good.
"The steady control and management of the Covid-19 pandemic are just a few of the results brought about by the oneness in both leadership and support of the constituents, who primarily maintained their faith founded in the strength because of unity," they said.
The GP punong barangays said they cannot afford "to lose one leader like Gasataya who may leave us to take the opposite side. We can be equally worried of any hesitation revealing a disconnection from our bloodline of loyalty."
"We find silence as weak as inaction," they added.
The barangay captains stressed that they have embedded in their belief that the strength of one is the strength of all, and for all, the foundation of GP.
This makes them steadfast in their common purpose and interest for a more progressive Bacolod City, they added.
Barangay Mansilingan Captain Rodolfo Pico confirmed that there is indeed a manifesto calling for Gasataya to stay in the coalition.
In fact, Pico said he is among those who signed the manifesto in a meeting at Apolo Restaurant in the city last week that was called upon hearing reports that Gasataya will transfer to the opposition.
Except for at least four, whom he claimed are supporters of the opposition, the other barangay captains, who were not present during the meeting, signified that they will also sign the manifesto to ensure oneness of the top three leaders in the city, Pico said.
Originally, Pico said, the village chairmen were supposed to meet with Gasataya. However, the congressman opted to meet them by group although he already talked to the solon earlier where he echoed the appeal of his colleagues.
Pico said Gasataya told them that he is praying and asking that he be given time to make his decision.
"We did not insist but we laid down to him that it is much better if we are together," Pico said, adding that "we will wait for his decision as it is only him who can make the decision for himself."
Gasataya could not be reached for comment as of press time Tuesday, September 7.
On Sunday, September 5, Councilor Al Victor Espino, a member of GP, confirmed that he had been eased out of the group although he will remain loyal with Gasataya.
Espino said his closeness and friendship with former Third District Representative Alfredo "Albee" Benitez, who is set to challenge Leonardia, who heads the GP, was the reason why the GP leader allegedly lost his trust and confidence in him.
But Leonardia, in a statement, asserted that Espino was not eased out. In fact, no one asked him to leave, the mayor said.