Large crowds of supporters join 2 Bacolod parties in COC filing

LARGE crowds of supporters of both the Magbinuligay Kita Para Sa Kauswagan (MKK) Partido  Bacolod, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)-Grupo Progreso came to show their support to their respective candidates in Bacolod City who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Thursday.

About 6,000 followers of MKK Partido Bacolod led by Mayor Monico Puentevella came for the COC filing yesterday morning.

Joining Puentevella in the line-up are former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who is running for congressman and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, for vice mayor. The three as well as their partymates  running for councilors wore   yellow shirts that  bear their first names on the right side  and the Philippine flag on the left.

Candidates for councilors are incumbents Sonya Verdeflor, Ana Marie Palermo, Alex Paglomutan and Claudio Puentevella, former councilors Catalino Alisbo and Homer Bais,  and neophyte candidates Dr. Francis Balzomo, Atty. Lorney Lyzander Dilag. lawyer Arnel Sigue, and Baranagy 19 village chief Jocelyn Uychiat.

rPuentevella said he is  still awaiting the decision of Councilor Archie Baribar whether he will still seek re-election or run for a higher post.

rThe MKK Partido  Bacolod   candidates attended a mass  at the San Sebastian Cathedral before  proceeding   to the nearby  Bays Center to launch their team’s line-up.

The team has various political affiliations including  the Liberal Party and National Unity Party.  Sigue and Balzomo don't have national party affiliations yet.

Meanwhile, former officials who were previously affiliated with the NPC-Grupo Progreso explained why they chose to be with the Puentevella camp.

Sayson said that after he lost to Puentevella in 2013,  the mayor visited him at home on December 24 on the same year.

“He  humbly went out of his way to visit his opponent. Who am I to refuse a man who is  humble enough to come to me despite the fact that he was victorious and I was a loser then?" Sayson said.

Paglomutan said that Puentevella is not just a politician but also a  statesman.

For his part, Gonzalez said that  Puentevella is one of a kind as a person and leader.

Meanwhile in the afternoon, the NPC-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia was backed by a crowd of chanting, stomping, and merry-making supporters.

"This was beyond our expectations and simply amazing,” Leonardia said of the crowd.

“You can see it in their faces that they are very enthusiastic and intense in supporting us. It was even more significant considering it was a spontaneous and natural show of support even without financial or material considerations," said Leonardia, who is running for mayor this time.

Most of the NPC-Grupo Progreso supporters also wore red shirts like  Leonardia and the rest of his partymates.

Joining  Leonardia   in the filing of COCs yesterday were Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya,  who is running for congressman,   and Councilor El Cid Familiaran,  who is eyeing the vice mayoral post.

Running for councilors are reelectionists  Em Ang and Caesar Distrito; former vice mayor Renecito Novero, former councilors Ricardo Tan, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, and Elmer Sy.

Also included  for councilors are Cindy Rojas, wife of Councilor Roberto Rojas, broadcaster Marlon Solidum,  engineer Bart Orola, youth leader Israel Salanga, and businessman George Zulueta.

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