Asenso Bacolod will hold a convention on Sept. 15 to pick two more candidates for councilor of Bacolod City in the May 2025 polls, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
The mayor, however, said the Asenso Bacolod candidates for vice mayor, mayor and representative of the city will be announced before October 8.
Initial talks have already been conducted, he said.
There are twelve city council seats and councilors Cindy Rojas and Renecito Novero are on their third and last terms, which will leave two vacancies to be filled.
The ten other councilors who are expected to seek reelection are Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jason Villarosa, Claudio Jesus Puentevella, Simplicia Z. Distrito, Celia Flor and Psyche Marie Sy.
Benitez said those who joined the Asenso rally in December 2023 will be part of his lineup.
The convention will be held simultaneously in all 61 barangays of Bacolod, the mayor’s spokesman Caesar Distrito said.
Distrito said all 10 councilors up for reelection will automatically be part of the Asenso Bacolod slate.
Meanwhile, a source said it is possible that Benitez will run for congressman of Bacolod and Rep. Greg Gasataya who is on his last term will run for mayor.
However, no confirmation has been made.
Benitez is also set to meet with the Love Negros members to discuss their candidates for the towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance have an existing coalition.
UNegA is set to hold its general assembly on Saturday, September 7.*