VILLAGE chief Joseph Anthony Ortillo of Barangay 25 in Bacolod City clarified Thursday, June 7, that he is a supporter of Grupo Progreso (GP) and he did not join in the group of Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano.
GP is the local party of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Ortillo issued a statement after his name was mentioned by Paduano on a daily local newspaper, not SunStar Bacolod, that he will take the oath with the four other barangay captains before Governor Alfredo MaraƱon Jr. at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center.
Ortillo said his friend informed him Thursday, June 7, that his name was mentioned by Paduano to take the oath with Alfredo Talimodao Jr. of Barangay Granada, Jerry Tingson of Barangay Estefania, Angelito Abaring of Barangay Bata, and Nelson Ligaya Jr. of Barangay 16.
"It's not true that I will take an oath with the four other village chiefs because I am a supporter of GP," he said.
The said four village chiefs are believed to be supporters of Paduano.
Ortillo noted that it is his first term as barangay captain and he is a supporter of the current administration.
"I want to clear my name that I did not make any commitment to the group of Paduano," Ortillo said.
Paduano earlier said that about 200 barangay officials from Bacolod City will take their oath of office Thursday, June 7. (MAP)