It will be a Mark Golez-Ryan Gamboa tandem for Team Asenso in Silay City, Negros Occidental, in the 2025 midterm elections.
Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod partylist) endorsed the candidacy of Golez for mayor and Silay Councilor Ryan Gamboa for vice mayor, before barangay captains of Silay City on Sunday, May 26.
Golez was chosen as the Aseso mayoral candidate of Silay over Gamboa in an earlier Asenso convention.
Gamboa was in initially expected to run for mayor but agreed to instead run for vice mayor with Golez.
Golez said his tandem with Gamboa is for ”unity, peace, harmony and victory in Silay”.
“This will be a strong team that will fight Gallego in next year’s elections,” Golez said.
Former mayor Golez will challenge incumbent Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego, who has announced that he is seeking reelection in 2025.
“I am happy that Ryan accepted the challenge to be the vice mayor of the Asenso Team,” Golez said.
They have the support of the Benitezes and Rep. Paduano who will handle their campaign, and of 12 out of 16 barangay captains of Silay, he said.
Gamboa said it was a party decision to field him as vice mayor of Silay.
“If it’s for the good of Silay, for the good of Asenso’s vision for Silay and unity I am happy to be a part of it, I have always been a team player,” Gamboa said.
Gallego could not be reached for comment on Sunday.*