“There is no way that Congressman Greg and I will be on opposing ends. It will never happen.”
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez declared that before Negros Occidental and Bacolod City officials and department heads who gathered at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Tuesday night, Dec. 19, for a “salubong” to usher in his 57th birthday at midnight.
Also present was his wife, Nikki, and son, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez.
The mayor was apparently responding to rumors that the battle for the mayorship of Bacolod will be between him and Gasataya in the 2025 midterm elections.
Gasataya, who was also at the BCGC, told the mayor “I will always be here for you”.
Benitez said the unity in Negros Occidental where forces were consolidated to achieve public service goals has also been attained in Bacolod City.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson with the mayors and other officials of Negros Occidental joined the “salubong” at the BCGC to celebrate the mayor’s birthday. The mayor thanked the Negros Occidental officials for their support.*