Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of Bacolod City with Councilor Renecito Novero as his runningmate on Tuesday, October 8.
Familiaran said 90 percent of his supporters are supporting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for congressman, while the others are for former mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist) is his campaign manager, Familiaran said, adding that he has the support of 24 barangay captains.
Familiaran said he is running for mayor because he is the better candidate, and is presenting himself as an alternative.
“We have moral and ethical standards, our character in unblemished,” Familiaran said.
“I know the problems of Bacolod and I know the solutions,” he said, pointing out that it is not all the time that money will prevail in an election.
Familiaran said he was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic when he attended to the needs of the people of Bacolod.
Novero said he was ready to become a private citizen but decided to run with Familiaran because he believes in his capacity to be a good mayor of Bacolod.
He said they do not have the money but the people of Bacolod will vote based on whom they believe are the right leaders for the city.
Familiaran’s councilor candidates are former city councilors Archie Baribar, Wilson Gamboa and Ann Palermo, barangay captains Lindy De Leon, Yolanda Noble and Teodoro Yulo, Ernesto “Beboy” Yap, Christian Weber and Ken Paolo Gilo.
He also has alliances with councilor candidates Lilian Sembarano – Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (Knetco) president and human rights advocate Pepito Pico, Familiaran said.*