Will Vice Mayor Samuel Siote challenge Mayor Niel Lizares for the mayorship of Talisay City in the May 2022 polls?
Lizares, who is seeking reelection, said his vice mayoral bet will be Nicolai Jalandoni, a former three-term councilor.
The incumbent councilors will also be seeking re-election with him, Lizares said.
Lizares said he heard Siote is thinking of running for mayor but they will not know until he files his certificate of candidacy (COC).
He also said the name of former Talisay Mayor Eric Saratan is being floated as the possible running mate of Siote. He doubts Saratan will run for vice mayor, they will know when COCs are filed in October, Lizares said.
Siote, a member of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA), said he has not announced that he is running for mayor, he will make a decision on his plans for 2022 after consulting with the people of Talisay.
He dismissed talk that Saratan is running for vice mayor as gossip.
Siote was not among the recently named UNegA mayoral bets.
Lizares said under his first term he brought positive change to basic services in Talisay City, and will deliver legacy projects if grated a second term.
Among the legacy projects in the pipeline that were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic are a new public market, transport terminal, legislative building and City Health Office.
Talisay has hired urban planner Felino Palafox to help in the development of Talisay City to draw more investors, Lizares said.
Meanwhile, Lizares said former Rep. Alfredo Benitez could bring good positive change for Bacolod if he is elected mayor of the city.*