Bacolod winners proclaimed

BACOLOD CITY - The Board of Canvassers (BOC) proclaimed the winning candidates of this year’s midterm elections in the city early Thursday.

The proclamation was held at the city council session hall past 4 a.m.

Reelected were Greg Gasataya as Bacolod Lone District congressman, Evelio Leonardia as mayor, and El Cid Familiaran as vice mayor.

Gasataya garnered 135,346 votes to former Mayor Monico Puentevella’s 84,705 votes, and Dr. Kevin Moises’ 3,751 votes.

Leonardia had 144,776 votes, defeating former Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue (81,248), and broadcaster Ray Carmona (1,762).

Familiaran had 126,238 votes, winning over former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who had 91,821 votes.

Reelectionist Councilor Cindy Rojas topped the city council derby with 135,011 votes.

The other 11 winners were incumbent Councilor Renecito Novero (131,672), neophyte Simple Distrito (123,194), former Councilor Carl Lopez (119,883), former Councilor Al Espino (116,412), former Councilor Archie Baribar (114,567), neophyte Israel Salanga (114,300), incumbent Councilors Dindo Ramos (108,218), Bart Orola (106,353), Ana Marie Palermo (105,683), Elmer Sy (100,867) and Wilson Gamboa Jr. (87,301).

Seven winning candidates of the city council slate are reelectionists.

Grupo Progreso (GP) under Leonardia dominated the council with 11 members.

The proclamation of winners was delayed after four secure device (SD) cards were corrupted and the transmission of data to the server suffered a glitch.

Despite the canvassing issues, Lamban still considered the elections successful, with no proclamation protests.

Lamban reminded the winning candidates to file their Statements of Contribution and Expenditures (Soce) before they assume their new seats on June 30.