Mayor Evelio Leonardia rallied cheering supporters on Saturday, March 26, to give his Grupo Progreso (GP) team, which he said has made Bacolod “one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines,” a 15-0 landslide win on May 9.
Leonardia, at a Grupo Progreso rally at the Bacolod Public plaza Saturday, said under his leadership Bacolod’s landscape and skyline have changed.
In fact before COVID-19 Bacolod was growing at its fastest but like the rest of the world was affected by the global pandemic, he said.
“We promise you as soon pandemic over Bacolod will be back on tract and will continue to be one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines,” he said.
He said GP is tested and proven, so “why fix it if it ain’t broken.”
Leonardia said the May polls in Bacolod is a battle between a “tumandok (native) versus pangayaw (invader)”.
He exhorted Bacolodnons to oppose any attempt by “invaders” to take over Bacolod because “we know how to run and manage our affairs”.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran told the crowd he was offered to run under the camp of mayoral candidate Alfredo “Albee” Benitez last year.
“But I declined the offer. I have no reason to betray Mayor Bing (Leonardia). I have no reason to betray Grupo Progreso. I will never betray the people of Bacolod,” Familiaran said,
“Tribu Pula” supporters who joined the festive Bacolod Public Plaza rally were from 45,000 to 50,000, organizers claimed.
GP’s candidate for congressman is businessman Daniel Atayde.
Its candidates for councilor are Em Ang, Archie Baribar, Jonathan Diaz, Ed Guillem, Carl Lopez, Cashmier Montalvo, Renecito Novero, Dindo Ramos, Cindy Rojas, Israel Salanga, Marlon Solidum and Chris Sorongon.*