FOCUS ON IMPORTANT MATTERS. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez talks to reporters on the sidelines of the signing of the memorandum of agreement with Ayala Malls Capitol Central for the establishment of the Bacolod Express Service Office on Monday afternoon (Sept. 12, 2022). "(We) might as well focus on more important matters in getting our services and commitments (delivered) to the City of Bacolod," Benitez said after the dismissal of the poll protest filed against him by former mayor Evelio Leonardia.(Screenshot from Bacolod City PIO video) BACOLOD CITY - Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez here has welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division dismissing the electoral protest filed against him by his predecessor Evelio Leonardia. "As expected, I had always believed it was not a protest to take seriously," he told reporters on Monday afternoon, but said he has not officially received a copy of the order yet. "We know for
CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP. Bacolod City mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez (left) and reelected Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya flash the sign for "change" with a supporter during a campaign sortie for the May 9 elections. On Tuesday night (May 24, 2022), Benitez said he is hitting the ground running even as defeated incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia filed a protest against his victory before the Commission on Elections central office on May 20.(Photo from Albee Benitez Facebook page) BACOLOD CITY - Mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez said on Tuesday night it is time to "buckle down" to work even as defeated Mayor Evelio Leonardia has formally protested his victory before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). "The people of Bacolod have spoken and it is time to move on and buckle down to work," he said in a statement. Benitez said the complaint is "baseless and frivolous" and "another desperate move of one who refuses to accept the truth". On Tuesday afte
From left, lawyers Marcus Vaflor, Jireh Alimon and Dr. Chris Sorongon, spokesman for Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, during a press conference at Planta
ELECTION PROTEST. The crowd supporting Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia during the Grupo Progreso's miting de avance at the Reclamation Area on May 7, 2022. Leonardia's spokesperson Chris Sorongon on Tuesday (May 24, 2022) said the incumbent mayor has filed election protest to contest his defeat to former congressman Alfredo Benitez due to alleged rampant vote-buying. (Photo courtesy of Evelio "Bing" Leonardia Facebook page) BACOLOD CITY - Mayor Evelio Leonardia has filed a protest before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after his bid for a third and last term was foiled by former congressman Alfredo Benitez in the May 9 elections. In a press conference at the Planta Hotel here on Tuesday, Leonardia's spokesperson Chris Sorongon said the incumbent mayor lodged his complaint before the Comelec central office in Manila on May 20. It has been docketed as Election Protest Case No. 008-2022. "The move of Mayor Leonardia to file a complaint was in response