By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – It was a stark contrast on Tuesday afternoon as former Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Representative of the Lone District of Bacolod in the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
Unlike the 2022 elections, where he led a full slate under his political group Grupo Progreso, Leonardia was accompanied only by his wife, Elsa, and daughter, Kara, as he filed his COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office.
In the 2022 elections, Leonardia filed his candidacy for mayor alongside a complete ticket, including a congressional candidate and 12 councilors.
However, this time, after attending a Mass with his supporters, he filed alone.
In an interview, Leonardia expressed that he does not expect his former allies from Grupo Progreso to join him this time.
“That will not happen,” he said.
He emphasized that running solo in Bacolod is not unprecedented, citing former Mayor and Congressman Monico Puentevella as an example.
“Circumstances always vary, and being alone is not something new in Bacolod. Former Mayor and Congressman Monico Puentevella has done it, and he was successful,” Leonardia stated.
Leonardia also acknowledged the advantages of running independently, noting, “What we like about our situation is we have a great degree of flexibility. We can talk to anyone, we can deal with anyone, and between now and election time, anything can happen.”
The former mayor shared his gratitude for the people who attended the Mass with him, calling them his “all-weather friends” who provide him with inspiration.
“They keep me going,” he added.
Leonardia explained that his decision to return to politics resulted from a long, thoughtful process.
Some supporters had encouraged him to run for mayor, but he ultimately chose to seek a seat in Congress.
“It was a long process. I considered that it is about time to go to the next level. I was mayor for 18 years and spent some of the best years of my life serving the city,” he said.
“As a mayor, I feel I have nothing much more to give. I have done my job sincerely, with dedication and loyalty to the people of Bacolod. I owe it to the people of Bacolod because I was born here, and I will die here—that is my commitment,” Leonardia added.
When asked about his chances against current Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who has expressed a strong likelihood of running for the same congressional seat, Leonardia simply responded, “Time will tell.”
Earlier, Atty. Caesar Distrito, spokesman for Mayor Benitez, stated that Benitez is “90 percent inclined” to run for Bacolod’s congressional representative in the 2025 elections.
Benitez and Leonardia previously faced off in the 2022 mayoral race, with Leonardia losing to Benitez.
