This has reference to the reported exit last Friday, September 3, of Bacolod City Councilor Al Victor Espino from our Grupo Progreso Party.
The GP expressed surprise over an article published September 4 in a news website headlined, “Partyless Espino says he is heartbroken by Bing decision easing him out of ruling Grupo Progreso”, quoting him as the main source of the story.
To set the record straight, no one in the GP moved to ease him out as it is claimed in the same interview.
In a party meeting attended by yours truly and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilor Espino was also present, joining eight other incumbent Councilors Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simple Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos and Bartolome Orola, Sr.
Also in attendance were former Councilor-now-City Administrator Em Legaspi-Ang and party member Marlon Solidum.
Our meeting centered on moving towards the finalization of the party slate and the filing of the COCs in October which is fast approaching.
Everyone was asked to speak. Those present reaffirmed their decision and commitment to run under the banner of the GP. They also reiterated their continued support to the party platform, policies and programs.
The discussions were open and the atmosphere was cordial. And Councilor Espino happened to be the last one to speak. After he had given his piece, yours truly responded which started a long exchange of views and opinions.
As there was an apparent disagreement on certain sensitive matters, that was when Councilor Espino volunteered to leave while the meeting was ongoing.
The manner of his physical exit, in fact, was also cordial. There was even that friendly fist bump.
In closing, allow me to thank Councilor Espino for his involvement all these years that he had been with Grupo Progreso. The political circumstances, however, as it could happen elsewhere, may change accordingly though.
Again, his parting of ways with his party mates was his own voluntary act. As explained earlier, no one had asked him to leave the GP nor was there an effort to ease him out as what appeared in that news story.
I hope this answers the issue very clearly.
Thank you.
MAYOR BING LEONARDIA & GRUPO PROGRESO