WINNING 10 out of 15 positions, the Team Asenso led by mayor-elect Alfredo "Albee" Benitez has dominated the local elections in Bacolod City.
The City Board of Canvassers chaired by election officer Revo Sorbito with vice chairman Ma. Theresa Ditching and secretary Reynaldo Gico proclaimed the former Negros Occidental Third District congressman as the winner in the mayoralty at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall Tuesday morning, May 10.
With 171,893 votes, Benitez defeated incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia of Grupo Progreso (GP) who only obtained 107,447 votes.
Team Asenso congressional candidate, reelectionist Lone District of Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, also won with 185,470 votes.
Gasataya defeated GP's Dan Atayde who obtained 80,591 votes, and independent candidates Nonong San Miguel with 850 votes, Romy Gustilo with 738 votes, and Willy David with 618 votes.
Reelectionist Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, also of GP, had 128,893 votes, winning over former councilor Caesar Distrito of Team Asenso with 103,236 votes and independent candidate Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. with 32,033 votes.
Eight of the 12 City Council seats went to Team Asenso, including former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who ranked first with 134,635 votes.
Other Team Asenso winners are reelectionist Councilor Al Espino who got 115,197 votes; businessman Vladimir Gonzalez with 13,145 votes; Barangay Sum-ag Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Jason Villarosa with 111,027 votes; former councilor Claudio Puentevella with 108,950 votes; reelectionist Councilor Simplicia Distrito with 107,030 votes; former councilor Celia Flor with 103,768 votes; and relectionist Councilor PaolineSy with 98,978 votes.
Completing the list of winners for councilors are GP members including reelectionist Councilors Israel Salanga with 123,237 votes, Renecito Novero with 113,046 votes, Cindy Rojas with 122,629 votes, and former councilor Em Ang with 116,953 votes.
Benitez, in an interview after the proclamation, said this is the victory of the people of Bacolod City.
"This is the change that we are looking for and that's what I intend to bring here in the city. We intend to execute our platforms that we promised during the campaign," he said.
Benitez added that they have several plans for Bacolod, noting his eight-point agenda to be given on his first 100 days.
The mayor-elect also said his team will relax for the meantime for about two days. Then, they will go back to business since his team also wants to discuss their plans once they assume their posts.
Benitez said he will form a transition team to ensure that there are people in place at the Bacolod Government Center.
Gasataya, who got the highest votes among all city candidates, also expressed his gratitude to all the supporters of Team Asenso.
"We are grateful [to them] for trusting us. Thank you for listening to our plans and programs for Bacolod. Let's get back to work. It's important that all of us will help each other for Bacolod City," Gasataya said.
The people of Bacolod should expect more programs and projects to be implemented in the city, he added.
For his part, Familiaran said he is happy that he was reelected, but sad at the same time since most of his colleagues lost the elections.
"But this is a public service, we have to move on and unite. Let's work as one for the people of Bacolod," he said.
Familiaran, who is on his third and last term as vice mayor, also expressed his gratitude to Leonardia and their supporters for trusting him and helping their team.