By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Atty. Jesus V. Hinlo Jr., PDP Deputy Secretary General for Visayas and Provincial Council President of Negros Occidental, stated that their group will continue its advocacies despite the “en masse” resignation of its members in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
“As to the PDP members of Negros Occidental who resigned, we respect and accept their decision. We wish them well as we continue our own advocacies and remain with PDP,” Hinlo told Daily Guardian on Thursday.
Hinlo issued this statement in response to reports that Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez declared that PDP members resigned “en masse” from the party.
Benitez, who ran under the PDP during the 2022 election, said at least eight mayors, several vice mayors, and more than forty councilors, including himself, tendered their irrevocable resignation from the party.
“We have discussed that we will pass our resignation as a group and make our decision in the near future,” Benitez added.
“As PDP members, we’re not even invited to their gatherings or meetings, so what do you expect? It’s as if we did not heed their call,” Benitez said.
Benitez mentioned that the group will collectively decide their next steps and which political party to join.
“We will consider everything,” he added.
He also noted that other members have signaled their intention to resign. “We have a manifesto, and more are still joining. Once it is completed, we will share it with you,” he said.
There are about 100 PDP members in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and nine city councilors had previously resigned from PDP-Laban, citing a lack of consultation from the party’s leadership.
“It appears that the leadership of PDP-Laban in Negros Occidental has overlooked the basic principle that an organization should promote inclusivity through ‘consultation before decision,’ not the other way around,” the group said in their resignation letter.
