The announcement of a former Bacolod police officer that he is eyeing the mayoralty post in Bacolod have drawn reactions from various quarters and prospective candidates.

Among them was former Bacolod Mayor Luzviminda Valdez who said yesterday that she believes it is still too early to make any declaration. Former Bacolod police director Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras has said he is running for mayor because he wants to serve Bacolod and he is receiving favorable feedback from the people. He said he is offering himself to the people of Bacolod to give them more candidates to choose from but will only reveal later what political party will support his candidacy.

Valdez said "Everybody is welcome to run since we are in a democratic society but my unsolicited advice is that it is still too early to make any declaration." She said Ponteras should first go around to get to know the leaders, she said. Like what Negros Occidental Joseph Marañon said, this is not yet a political season, she added.

Valdez said the start of the political season for the local government will be next year starting January or last quarter of this year. She also said former Mayor Oscar Verdeflor and Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Ricardo Tan are still trying to gauge the pulse of the people.

Most likely they see themselves as possible contenders for the mayoralty post, she said. She also said she has heard that businessman Rodolfo Babes Alvarez is eyeing the congressional seat and will join former Bacolod Councilor Roberto Rojas who, she said, is planning to run for mayor. She said there are other names being floated like former Negros Occidental Gov. Lito Coscolluela and there are many more speculations, but as for declarations, only Ponteras has declared that he is running for mayor of Bacolod.*CGS

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