Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is accepting the challenge of Rep. Monico Puentevella to a boxing match that the solon aired during his press conference yesterday.

"OK, so long as we both go down to the 130-lb. limit, as I am only as heavy as Manny Pacquiao, and he seems to be as heavy, or heavier than Oscar de la Hoya," Leonardia said, in reaction to the statement of Puentevella to the media that "Kami na lang ang mag-boxinganay (we will be the ones to box)".

Leonardia, however, also said that this just confirms the nature of the congressman which shows that he is inclined to violence, while displaying the signs of panic.

Puentevella had earlier slammed the group of Leonardia for what he called their "downplaying" of his lead in the unofficial tally of NAMFREL. A statement released by Puentevella's camp claimed that he had won over this rival, Renecito Novero by more than 1,000 votes based on official returns tabulated by the LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI, his political party.

It further claimed that Puentevella had a total of 75,818 votes against Novero's 74,588.

In his own press conference earlier, however, Leonardia said that if, indeed, Puentevella was winning, it was surprising that he was so subdued in his pronouncements. He said it would be more in character for the solon to be jumping in joy while proclaiming his "victory".

Puentevella also insinuated that the financial backing of a political patron was responsible for the surprising lead of Leonardia, but stressed that their "operation" was not totally successful since "money failed to buy the entire Bacolod City".

Visibly emotional during his press conference, Puentevella also said that Leonardia's camp was spreading lies about his health condition. Leonardia however, told the media that he had never discussed or said anything about the solon's health.

However, he said the solon could be hallucinating and he can understand that, especially if what his own people are saying that he has not been sleeping for many nights now, are true.

"That should not be the behavior of someone who is sure that he is winning," he said.

As to the insinuations of Puentevella about his travels, Leonardia pointed out that the records will show that never in his entire political life as a city official has the city spent a single centavo on his travels that have brought so many benefits to Bacolod.

That is unlike the record of Puentevella who is among the most-travelled congressmen of the country, for which government funds were used, but with no known benefit for Bacolod, which is supposed to be his district, Leonardia said.

Meanwhile, Puentevella said that with his "impending victory" he will out perform himself in the next three years and will show the rival party how he will stir Bacolod to progress.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," he said, quoting the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

His opponent, Novero, however, has publicly vowed to file a plunder case against him for the millions in government funds that he has yet to account for, as soon as the election is over.*NAB

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