Bacolod an open city for national bets, says mayor

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia | Evelio “Bing” Leonardia’s Facebook

BACOLOD CITY—This city has been declared an “open city” that welcomes national candidates from all political parties.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Friday, April 29, said it has been his policy to open Bacolod to all candidates for national office no matter which political spectrum they represent.

“Let me clarify once and for all – this representation remains neutral. I have not endorsed any presidential candidate. I have declared this position many times before in various media interviews and public fora,” he said.

Leonardia said as the homestretch of the election campaign approached, more fake news and disinformation were becoming a daily fare on mainstream and social media channels at the local and national fronts.

One fake news making the rounds on various social media platforms was Leonardia’s alleged endorsement of presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who visited him Thursday at the Bacolod City Government Center.

He said Domagoso is his colleague in the League of Cities of the Philippines, of which he is the national president.

“The visit of Moreno, just like those of the other presidential aspirants and those running for other national positions, who came to see me at the Bacolod City Government Center before him, was welcomed by Bacolodnons,” Leonardia said.

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