Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday nominated the official candidates of the Nationalist People's Coalition for the city at the Business Inn in Bacolod City.

Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, a former Lakas candidate, meanwhile, took his oath as NPC member before Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, who is provincial chairman of NPC. Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who was nominated as NPC candidate for vice mayor, also took his oath, together with 11 other candidates for councilor, before Leonardia.

Leonardia presented yesterday their slate for councilors composed of incumbent Councilors Homer Bais, Napoleon Cordova, Al Victor Espino, Greg Gasataya and Dindo Ramos, former Councilor Roberto Rojas, former councilor and Games and Amusement Board commissioner Alex Paglumotan, new candidates Chuck Estrella, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Cesar Leonardia, the mayor's brother, and Roberto "Kaishek" Tan, the brother of Transportation Assistant Secretary Ricardo Tan.

Leonardia yesterday asked the public to support their team because it had been seen in the past that if a majority of the councilors of a party does not win, the administration encounters more difficulties or problems.

He said they have tried to choose candidates they believe will win. They have all the capabilities, the abilities and resources to make themselves win, and everybody in the slate will win, he added.

"I would like the public to know that these are the people who can help ensure the continued progress of the city," Leonardia said. The main thing in this election is about continuity, and we have seen in the past that if we change the mayor every term, there is no continuity, he said.

Leonardia said the changing of administrations every term is counter-productive.

He said he is inviting their supporters and the public to attend the Holy mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral at 2 p.m. today.

"As we start this exercise, we need the guidance and wisdom of God," Leonardia said, in order to have spiritual enlightenment and to get spiritual strength in preparation for the campaign. They will then proceed to the Comelec as a team to file their certificates of candidacy as NPC members, he said.

Meanwhile, Paglumotan said he resigned as Games and Amusement Board commissioner to come back to the folds of the City Council since he feels indebted to Bacolod.

"I feel I am lucky to have all the training in the national government which is more than enough for me to go back to the City Council as a better councilor," he said. He is willing to be part of progress and a responsive team towards the betterment of Bacolod, he added.

Paglumotan said he did not come back to Bacolod to be a barker against Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella. He said he believes this campaign should be brought to a high level unless their political opponents will force him to tell tales before the public.

Paglumotan said his joining the team of Leonardia means he has faith in the Mayor's leadership. "I consider him a better leader who has a good hand in handling the affairs of the city," he said.

Being in the NPC party he has no recourse but to support Novero in any way he could, he said.

Leonardia said they are not looking for a barker but for a candidate. If Paglomutan said he regretted supporting Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella before, that is his personal opinion, he said.

"We got candidates not barkers and that may be a black propaganda from their political opponents who are bothered by the return of Palumotan," he added.*CGS

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