Bacolod mayor makes history

MANILA, Philippines - Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia made history in local politics as the first city mayor elected for three consecutive terms.

Leonardia, the youngest elected mayor in 1995, is now on his fourth term as the city’s chief executive. Previous Bacolod mayors only had a maximum of two terms.

Leonardia garnered 93,519 votes against his opponent, Rep. Monico Puentevella, who got only 86,258 votes.

Leonardia’s Nationalist People’s Coalition lineup dominated the elections with party mates congressman-elect Anthony Golez, re-electionist Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and majority of councilors proclaimed as winners.

Leonardia and Puentevella are known political rivals in Bacolod for decades. They had run against each other for councilor and vice mayor. 

In 1988, Leonardia was the number one councilor while Puentevella was number two councilor. In 1992, Leonardia also beat Puentevella in the vice mayoralty race.

Leonardia, national vice chairman of the League of Cities of the Philippines, said that despite the dirty tactics and black propaganda thrown against him by his political opponents, the people of Bacolod have spoken and his new mandate is a clear indication of their support for his platform of government. 

Among the major projects implemented during the Leonardia administration are the New Government Center, the Bacolod City College, the “double A” standard slaughterhouse, the sanitary landfill, and the 88-hectare relocation site.