It will be a battle between Mayor Joedith Gallego and former mayor Mark Golez for the top post of Silay City in 2025.
Golez won over Councilor Ryan Gamboa to be the Asenso Silay standard bearer at the group’s convention convened by Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at the Victorias Coliseum on Saturday, May 11.
“I am accepting the nomination based on the results of the convention to be the official standard bearer of Asenso Silay in the 2025 polls,” Golez told DIGICAST NEGROS on Monday.
Golez said it was attended by 4,574 Asenso Silay family leaders.
Golez won with 2,775 votes over Councilor Ryan Gamboa who garnered 1,784 votes. There were 15 spoiled ballots.
Prior to the convention Mayor Benitez consulted with the barangay captains and 15 out of 16 were for him, Golez said.
A survey was then conducted among the kagawads and about 90 percent were also for him, he added.
Gallego, who defeated Golez in the 2022 polls, said he will be running for reelection in 2025.
On Golez running against him, Gallego “it’s okay with me, everyone has the right run as long as they are qualified”.
Gallego ran as an independent in 2022 and has since joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas of President Ferdinand Marcos, he said.*