Published April 26, 2021, 8:23 AM
by Glazyl Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Former third district congressman and now Negros Occidental provincial consultant Alfredo “Albee” Benitez is eyeing to challenge Mayor Evelio Leonardia in the May 2022 elections.

COLLISION COURSE. Looks like longtime Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia will have his work cut out for him come the 2022 elections as former Negros Occidental third district Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has expressed his interest in gunning for the city’s mayoral seat.

On Thursday, April 22, Benitez recently went to the Commission on Elections office here to file a transfer of his voter’s registration from Victorias City to Bacolod City.

“You cannot ignore the clamor,” Benitez said, as he cited many tarpaulins around the city bearing the message ‘Run Albee Run.’

As the idea of Benitez running for mayor here is floating, he said he will be seen often publicly here.

Benitez said he still has until October to decide, and has only two political options left – either to run for mayor here or senator of the country.

Benitez said that there are certain things that he has to clarify and address in considering running in Bacolod.

Prior to Benitez’s registration here, a lunch gathering was held at the Provincial Capitol here, with some mayors, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Minority Floor Leader Stephen Paduano, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Benitez then proceeded to the San Sebastian Cathedral to hear mass before walking towards the Comelec office, along with a crowd of supporters pegged at around 2,500, clad in white shirts chanting “Run Albee Run.”

Meanwhile, 28 mayors in the province signed a manifesto of support for “Run Albee run for Mayor of Bacolod City” during an assembly of mayors belonging to the Love-Negros and United Negros Alliance at Nature’s Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City.

Of the 31 town and city mayors in the province, only Mayor Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an and Mayor Gina Montilla-Lizares did not show up at the assembly, while Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, who was also not physically present, sent a representative.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, who is also the Secretary General of Unega, said the manifesto, which will be made public once Benitez made the final decision, is a statement of support, urging him to run for mayor here, citing reasons which are more about synching Bacolod and Negros Occidental in the fight against COVID-19 and the recovery plan.

For his response, Benitez said the urge and welcome he got from the people who showed up at his transfer of voter’s registration has been giving him sleepless nights.

“It’s not a simple decision. It’s no joke. There are a lot of factors that I will consider,” Benitez said, adding that the journey starts now.