Massive seas of red and white supporters gathered at the reclamation area and the Paglaum Sports Complex for festive miting de avances of the two rival political groups in Bacolod City on Saturday, May 7, who both claimed victory ahead of the elections on Monday.
Thousands of Grupo Progreso supporters clad in red led by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia gathered at the reclamation area, while the white-shirt supporters of Asenso Bacolod headed by mayoral candidate Albee Benitez filled the Paglaum Sports Complex.
Both camps claimed that the massive show of support at their grand rallies were an indication of victory.
This is not a miting de avance, this is a victory party, they said.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in his speech, outlined the gains and progress in Bacolod City since he started out as mayor in 2004, and called on his supporters to give him another three years to bring the city to greater heights with more developments yet to be implemented.
More growth centers will be opened up if they are given three more years, said Leonardia, who urged the crowd to vote for “tumadoks (natives)” of the city and not outsiders.
“Bacolod has grown by leaps and bounds… we planted, we harvested, we cooked and now they want to eat it,” he said.
“Give us your trust and confidence, give us your votes and we will give you the best that we can give you…Bacolod is for the people of Bacolod,” he said.
The camp of Benitez, on the other hand, said now is the time for change for Bacolod to move forward.
Benitez said he decided to run for mayor of Bacolod in response to the call of Bacolodnons yearning for change and for the restoration of hope in the city.
Benitez said he will restore the people’s trust in government and vowed to end corruption. “I am not corrupt and I will not allow corruption in the city of Bacolod,” he said.
“We will bring government closer to the people – and make government work for the people, “Benitez said, as he outlined his plans for the city.
“Let us celebrate the journey for a brighter future for the City of Bacolod,” he said, where progress will be felt by every Bacolodnon.
Tall buildings and big shopping malls are not the gauge of progress in Bacolod but change for the better in the lives of its people, he said.
Leonardia was joined at the GP rally by congressional aspirant Dan Atayde, re-electionist Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and candidates for councilor Em Ang, Archie Baribar, Jonathan Diaz, Ed Guillem, Carl Lopez, Cashmere Montalvo, Renecito Novero, Dindo Ramos, Cindy Rojas, Israel Salanga, Marlon Solidum and Dr. Chris Sorongon.
Benitez was joined at the Asenso Bacolod rally by re-electionist Rep. Greg Gasataya, his runningmate Caesar Distrito, Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod) and candidates for councilor Homer Bais, Simple Distrito, Al Espino, Celia Flor, Vladi Gonzales, Patrick Lascon, Bart Orola, Kalaw Puentevella, Thaddy Sayson, Pao Sy, Sonya Verdeflor and Jason Villarosa.
Benitez called for a 16-0 victory for Team Asenso Bacolod, and Leonardia called for a 15-0 win for Grupo Progreso.
The Grupo Progreso camp claimed their crowd at the reclamation area was from 75,000 to 80,000, while security personnel at the Paglaum Sports Complex placed the crowd at the Asenso Bacolod rally at 75,000.*