Bacolod in safe hands under reelected mayor — Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte congratulated Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia on his reelection, saying the city is in “safe hands” under his leadership. 

“I’m happy that you were elected once again, that Bacolod City is in safe hands,” Duterte said in a video message shown during Leonardia’s inauguration recently.

“I wish that you will be in the political arena, maybe a little bit longer to serve the people. That’s what it’s all about, service to the people, nothing more, nothing less,” the President said.

Leonardia is the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod. He garnered a record 144,776 votes in the May elections.  

He had a lead of 63,528 votes over his closest opponent, the biggest margin in Bacolod politics.

Duterte also congratulated Leonardia’s partymates – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Rep. Greg Gasataya –who also won by big margins over their opponents.

Leonardia’s party Grupo Progreso won 14 of the 15 seats, including 11 of the 12 slots for councilors. 

“The people’s message is clear. They would like to see their city officials working together, cooperating with each other, and living in peace and harmony,” Leonardia said.