Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and Mayor Evelio Leonardia vowed to perform better in the next three years after they were proclaimed winners separately by the Commission on Elections Saturday at the BAYS Center in Bacolod City.

After their proclamation, Leonardia together with his partymates who were elected, took their oath at the Bacolod City Hall.

They are Vice Mayor-elect Jude Thaddeus Sayson and elected councilors Greg Gasataya, Homer Bais, Dindo Ramos, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Al Victor Espino, Napoleon Cordova, Roberto Rojas and Alex Paglumotan.

Puentevella, won over his rival Renecito Novero by 1,021 votes. The solon registered 75,918 votes while Novero had 74,897.

Leonardia, on the other hand, had 109,789 votes as against Luzviminda Valdez who had 54,377, or a lead of 55,412 votes. Puentevella claimed he is lucky that despite the money used by his opponents against him he did not fall. That means that if God wants to put you in a certain position, He will restore you, he said.

"The giants fought against me but since I have only one master, God Almighty, I am thankful I became triumphant," Puentevella said.

He said he wished Novero the best in the next chapter of his life. "I congratulate them for putting up a close fight although it cannot be ignored that they had spent so much," he said.

MISSION FROM GOD

"However, it seems God has given me a mission so I have to work harder for the next three years," Puentevella said.

The election is over so let's just move on and wait for the next chapter, he said, adding that he thanked the people who voted for him.

Novero said Puentevella should be thankful that businessman Simplicio Palanca withdrew his support to their party. He said Puentevella should do his best as an elected congressman. He should be honest with the people and improve his quality of service, he added.

Novero said victory is not simply winning an election. It is a question of serving the people well by competent, honest, sincere and dedicated service, he said. Puentevella should do his best to redeem himself from the controversies and issues that infested his public service for the sake of the people of Bacolod who expect so much from him, he added.

In a press conference earlier, Puentevella had admitted that the people of Bacolod "ain't seen nothing yet."

Novero said Puentevella should be honest, humble and learn to be competent, otherwise, he will not succeed.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the victory of their group, would not have been so overwhelmingly if it is not what the people want.

"This is historic and I feel very privileged that I was given an opportunity to continue to serve the people and the trust and support they have given me is one thing I will always value," he said.

He also said this unprecedented support could only mean that the people approve of and are behind the projects of his administration, foremost of which is the government center which his detractors and opponents have tried so hard to sabotage and use against him.

"But now the people of Bacolod have shown them what they think," he said.

Leonardia said it has always been his philosophy that "To whom much is given, much is expected." So, with Sayson and their councilors, he said, he will try to the best of his ability, not to fail the people of Bacolod.

"If I did my best in the first three years, I promise to do better than my best in the next three years," Leonardia said. He said he is thankful to all those who helped, supported and inspired them.*CGS

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