The election campaign started yesterday with motorcades and colorful rallies held by the two opposing political camps in separate venues in Bacolod City.

The Grupo Progreso led by re-electionist Mayor Evelio Leonardia and congressional candidate Renecito Novero held their opening salvo in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City while the Performance Team led by re-electionist Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and mayoralty candidate Luzviminda Valdez held theirs at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

Former Games and Amusement Board commissioner Alex Paglumotan, who had attacked former Bacolod Rep. John Orola in the 2004 elections, was seen hugging the latter during the rally of the Grupo Progresso.

Paglumotan said he is willing to say sorry to Orola in all their campaign sorties in the different barangays in the city.

Puentevella, on the other hand, placed his arm around the shoulder of his arch enemy, City Legal Officer Allan Zamora, who seemed uncomfortable and visibly stiff, and shook his hand during their campaign at City Hall yesterday. His son, Nikki Boy, who is running for councilor, also gave Zamora a hug.

Zamora, however, said that this will not affect the case he has filed against the solon before the Court.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Ricardo Tan, whose brother, Kaishek Tan, is running for councilor under the Grupo Progreso, was also present at the rally. City Administrator Lorendo Dilag also announced that he has tendered his irrevocable resignation yesterday so he could campaign for Leonardia.

Present at the rally of the Performance Team were former Councilor Juan Ramon Guanzon and his mother, and Jhay Montelibano, the wife of former Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Jr., as well as Senator Ralph Recto, who showed up at the early part of the rally. As the rally heated up, both camps hurled issues against each other like those involving the government center project, the tampering of receipts, alleged irregularities in government projects.

Candidates of the two political groups started their campaign early yesterday in the different public markets in the city.

Independent vice mayoralty candidate Lyndon Caña, and independent candidates for councilor Celia Flor and Bart Orola also arrived at City Hall at about 8 a.m. yesterday to shake hands with the employees.

Meanwhile, vice mayoralty candidate Elmer Sy said he, together with Puentevella and Valdez, will meet with the President on Monday in Malacañang. He said he has no idea what will be taken up during their meeting.*CGS

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