Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Friday, May 3, that there will soon be a mass resignation from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) in Negros Occidental.
Many PDP elected government officials in Negros Occidental are members of the Love Negros–United Negros Alliance coalition that is supporting the reelection bid of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Benitez, who ran for mayor under PDP Laban, said he is committed to supporting Lacson.
Jesus Villanueva Hinlo, PDP deputy secretary general for Visayas and Negros Occidental Council president, earlier said their party may support former Victorias mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca for governor of Negros Occidental in 2025.
Although Palanca has not accepted the offer to run for governor yet, Hinlo said.
Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and nine councilors, including Palanca’s son, irrevocably resigned from the PDP on April 23 following the announcement by Hinlo that PDP may field Palanca for governor.
It appears that the leadership of PDP under Hinlo overlooked the basic principle that an organization should promote inclusivity through “consultation before decision,” not the other way around, the Victorias officials said.
Benitez, on Friday, said many PDP members in Negros have signified that they are no happy with the party.
“Soon there will be also a mass resignation from PDP in Negros, Benitez said.
There are still several mayors and councilors in the province who are members of PDP, he said.
PDP is chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte.*