By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – It’s official. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Bacolod Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya are switching positions for the 2025 elections.
Among the five options Benitez considered for the 2025 midterm elections, he chose to run for the congressional seat, swapping roles with his political ally, Gasataya.
Benitez, in his first term as mayor, filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Tuesday as an independent candidate for Bacolod City’s lone district representative.
Gasataya, who is on his final term as congressman, filed his candidacy for Bacolod City mayor.
Both led the Asenso Bacolod slate, including their vice mayoral candidate, Councilor Kalaw Puentevella, and 12 candidates for city councilor. They filed their COCs after a mass at Bacolod Cathedral.
The full slate was introduced to the media during a press conference at the SMX Convention Center.
Benitez will face former Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia for a second time. Benitez defeated Leonardia in the 2022 mayoral race.
Leonardia filed his COC for Bacolod’s congressional seat on October 1, 2024. He did so alone, without a formal slate, and was accompanied only by his family and supporters.
Meanwhile, Gasataya will face his former partymate, outgoing Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is also running for mayor.
Familiaran filed his COC on Tuesday, supported by last-term Councilor Renecito Novero as his vice mayoral candidate and nine councilor aspirants.
Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, a political ally of Benitez, endorsed Familiaran and his slate.
In the SMX Convention Center press conference, Benitez said it took time and careful consideration before he finalized the decision to switch roles with Gasataya.
“It took a while, and we thought deeply about it. In fact, I didn’t announce it until the last day to ensure that everything aligned with our vision for the city,” Benitez said.
He added, “I feel that if I’m closer to the national scene and the people who can contribute to Bacolod’s development, maybe I should be in a different position.”
Benitez explained that if he found someone he trusted to continue the progress he started, the decision to switch became easier.
“If I hadn’t found someone, maybe I would’ve stayed,” he said when asked why he chose to run for Congress.
“This is a win-win situation for Bacolod,” Benitez said, referring to his decision to field Gasataya for mayor and Puentevella for vice mayor.
He emphasized that both Gasataya and Puentevella had been key members of Asenso Bacolod, the group he formed in 2022.
“In 2022, it was all Team Asenso. I reflected on who truly represented Team Asenso. These are the people who stood with us when it was tough to choose. Now, it’s easier to claim Team Asenso because everyone embraces it,” Benitez said, explaining why he preferred Gasataya over Familiaran.
Benitez also said he felt more prepared for the upcoming election than he did in 2022, when he first ran against Leonardia.
Gasataya expressed gratitude and acknowledged the challenge of filling the shoes of Mayor Albee.
Despite speculations of tension between him and Benitez, Gasataya said their mutual trust and respect remain strong.
Earlier, Atty. Caesar Distrito, Benitez’s spokesperson, revealed that Benitez had five options: reelection, a run for higher office, a bid for the Senate, a congressional run with Gasataya running for mayor, accepting a cabinet position, or retiring from politics.
