About 40,000 allies of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, including former members of Grupo Progreso, are expected to attend the launching of the Asenso movement at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City that starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist) said Friday.
It will also be a Christmas Party for all the Bacolod leaders who supported Benitez during the 2022 elections and those who have since joined his group, Paduano said.
Elected officials, including those who ran under Grupo Progreso in the last election, are expected at the gathering, he said.
He also said the majority of the newly elected barangay officials support of Benitez and will be at the gathering.
“All elected officials who wish to join are welcome…it is a call for unity,” Paduano said.
“We are working to unify Bacolod through Mayor Albee. Anyone can join (the movement) as long as he or she believes in the direction set by Asenso led by Mayor Albee,” Paduano said.
Paduano is on his 11th year and last term as Abang Lingkod Partylist representative.
His first option is to rest from politics in 2025 but is also not closing his door, Paduano said.*