BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday he will announce by October 1 whether he will join the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Leonardia, a member of Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), said he already consulted the president and chairman of NPC.
On October 1, provincial officials of Negros Occidental will lead their oath-taking with PDP-Laban in Bacolod City.
Leonardia said he also consulted Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Representative Greg Gasataya, but he will also talk to members of Grupo Progreso before making an announcement.
“It is not yet final and things will be settled on or before of October 1,” he added.
Yves Akol, secretary-general of PDP-Laban Negros Island Region, had earlier said that Leonardia seems to be open to the possibility of joining the administration party.
Akol had also said he would love for everybody to be united and “put our acts together for the province and the country.”
From the province, 94 officials led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will take their oath as members of PDP-Laban.
Aside from Marañon, those joining the administration party are board members, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors.
Marañon’s allies in the United Negros Alliance, which he chairs, are among those who will also become PDP-Laban members.
They include, among others, the governor’s son Mayor Alfredo Marañon III of Sagay City, as well as Mayors Patrick Escalante of Cadiz City, Ernesto Estrao of Hinobaan, Lourdes Escalante of Manapla, and Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, and Second District Board Members Salvador Escalante Jr. and Samson Mirhan.
Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares had earlier said that all mayors in the Third District will also join President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party.
Third District is comprised by the cities of Victorias, Silay, and Talisay, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Murcia, whose mayors are allied with their representative Alfredo Benitez, who is already a PDP-Laban member.
Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick had also confirmed that he will join the ruling party with his vice mayor, and 10 councilors.
