THE two political groups in Bacolod City said they respect the decision of Councilor Ricardo Tan not to run for mayor in the 2019 elections.
Councilor Ceasar Distrito of Grupo Progreso (GP) headed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia said when you run for public office, the important thing you should consider first is the support of your family.
Tan had earlier announced he is not anymore interested in pursuing his plans for the mayoralty race.
Tan, a former political ally of GP, said his decision was supported by his family, advisers and political leaders.
He said that one of the big reasons that he decided to set aside his plan is the decision of his family because they saw that it will no longer be a healthy political exercise.
"The moment your family will go against you or will advise your intention to run is somehow a matter that you have to take into consideration because the family would be your last resort, primary support, enough backbone or source of strength," Distrito said.
He said that maybe because he (Tan) felt that it is a losing cause or a waste of time so he decided not to run.
"That goes to show that political opposition is really in disarray right now. For me, as a member of GP, it's a clear indication that victory is clear for Mayor Leonardia and the rest of GP," he added.
Distrito noted that Tan's alliance with GP had already long time severed.
"He (Tan) decide on his own and there's no negotiation, but if ever he will support the GP that would not be surprising because (Tan) was once a member of GP," Distrito said.
He said the GP aims a 15-0 victory in the 2019 elections and it's not impossible to happen because GP has an incumbent congressman, mayor, vice-mayor, six councilors, and another six returning and newcomers.
"If it is not landslide (victory), there might be only a very few, one or two, casualty," he added.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., a member of Magbinuligay Kita sa Kauswagan (MKK) headed by former Monico Puentevella, said they also respect the decision of Tan.
"We welcome this, at least as early as now, he announced he will not run for mayor and we still have 12 days left that the group could find a candidate for mayoralty race," he said.
He added they still have enough time to find their candidate before the start of filing of certificate of candidacy on October 11.
In the previous months, there was a speculation that Tan might run for mayor under the slate of MKK.
Gamboa said the group vowed to field all the positions from the congressman, mayor, vice mayor down to councilors.
