TERESA D. ELLERA
October 05, 2021

NEGROS. Mayoralty candidate Alfredo "Albee" Benitez (seventh from right) with other members of their slate called "Unity Ticket" who were presented at his residence at Mt. View Subdivision, Barangay Mandalagan in Bacolod City Tuesday, October 5, 2021. (Carla N. Cañet)

MAYORALTY candidate Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez presented Tuesday, October 5, his slate called "Unity Ticket," which he said has a diversity of candidates that will bring change for a better Bacolod City.

Benitez made the presentation at his residence at Mt. View Subdivision, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City after his lawyer filed on their behalf their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Comelec-Bacolod.

The former congressman officially presented his runningmate, former Bacolod City councilor Caesar Distrito, who then presented their 12 slate members for councilors.

They are incumbent Councilors Simple Distrito, Al Victor Espino and Bart Orola; former councilors Homer Bais, Celia Flor, Sonya Verdeflor and Claudio Puentevella; former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson; businessman Vladimir Gonzales; former Negros Occidental Third District Board Member Patrick Lacson; Pao Sy; and Barangay Sum-ag Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Jason Villarosa.

Benitez said they sent their lawyer in filing their COCs in light of the Covid-19 threat, adding that they did not like to gather people at the expense of their health and safety.

The group came up with the decision after weighing the options in a meeting held last Sunday, October 3.

Benitez, in his speech, said: "I never foresaw that this day will come that I will file my candidacy as mayor of Bacolod City. Early this year it was never on the horizon. It has never been in my mind that it will come to this."

He added: "I am a bit emotional because I never thought that I'll run for an executive position. It is a sacrifice on my part that my family is always complaining why I am doing this, and I always answer, if the people want to and I can see that I am capable of helping them and I said I'll never turn my back."

Benitez also mentioned the support of his family. His wife, Nikki, and son, Javier Miguel, were with him yesterday.

He said that he met with the Bantug Family and that they are united in this endeavor.

Benitez said the call of the people, as indicated in several tarps posted all over the city, persuaded him to run for mayor.

The enthusiasm of the people for change when he visited the Bacolod Central Market was also another situation that made him decide to run, he said.

"I cannot turn my back because I know I can make a difference," he added.

Benitez also said that he will bring programs close to his heart especially on housing, education, infrastructure, health, peace and order.

He pledged not to tolerate corruption in his administration.

"My track record would speak for myself that I even send my own money because of the need that I see," Benitez said.

Benitez added that he thought of a unity ticket composed of the old, the new, the pro and the anti, and tried to come up with a diversity of candidates joining him because of "our vision, calling and objectives of what we want for Bacolod."

"The composition of diversity is what Bacolod is today. This is what we want to transform. We will not leave anybody behind because this is a representation of all of the people of Bacolod where we will bring progress and change," he added.

The aspiring mayor said there will be no "color coding" in the delivery of basic services under his administration.

He said this is why their [group] color is white that represents their clear platform "unlike in the present situation where access of the people to basic services are difficult because of the current system."

"This administration will be programmed-based. We will deliver basic services in a much easier way," Benitez assured.