By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez dismissed speculation about an operation allegedly called “Save the King,” which some say would ensure his victory in the 2025 congressional race in Bacolod City.
“There’s no such thing as ‘Save the King,’” Benitez told reporters at a press conference in his office on Monday.
Benitez, who switched posts with Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, will compete against former mayor and lawmaker Evelio Leonardia in the congressional race.
This contest will mark their second face-off in politics; in the 2022 mayoral race, Benitez defeated Leonardia.
Benitez also dismissed suggestions that he would “ride two horses” in next year’s election to secure the congressional seat in the city.
This issue surfaced after Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, a longtime friend, ally, and supporter of Benitez, endorsed Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran’s candidacy for mayor instead of Representative Gasataya, who is Benitez’s running mate.
Paduano has also declared that his support extends solely to Benitez within Team Asenso.
When asked if he was “riding two horses,” Benitez replied, “I am not.”
“I am not the type of person who leaves my teammates behind,” he said. “There is no such thing as ‘Save the King,’ which implies disregarding other team members just to preserve and protect the leader.”
“What would you feel if this happened to you? It’s disgraceful. I don’t do that,” he lamented.
Benitez declared, “I will sink or swim with my teammates.”
He suggested that while this might have been done in the past, he is focused on creating a new political culture that values teamwork and loyalty, ensuring no supporter is left behind.
When asked if this meant supporters should only vote for Team Asenso candidates and not those endorsed by Paduano, Benitez responded, “Yes.”
“I will only support and stand with those who believe in my entire slate,” he emphasized.
He added, “For those not supporting Team Asenso, I consider them outsiders.”
Benitez noted that currently, 39 of the city’s 61 barangay captains have aligned with Team Asenso.
He added that three more have expressed interest in joining the team.
Benitez remarked that their numbers continue to grow.
Addressing Team Asenso’s recent gathering of more than 300 barangay council members in Boracay last weekend, Benitez explained, “We want it clear that this is not just about the individuals or candidates but about the vision we have started for Bacolod.”
He added that Boracay served as a venue for bonding, strengthening their unity.
Regarding city government employees, particularly job order workers, Benitez warned that those engaging in partisan politics could lose their jobs.
“As I’ve told all city government employees, be neutral, be apolitical, and stay out of politics. We want to preserve and strengthen our institution, so we cannot allow politics to infiltrate,” Benitez said.
He added that allowing politics to influence government service “damages our decisions and weakens the institution.”
“By law, all of them should remain apolitical,” Benitez emphasized.
