The Nationalist People's Coalition does not need to padlock its doors to Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. if he wants to seek reelection under it, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Saturday.

Golez had said earlier that if ever he will be kicked out of the NPC, he might seek re-election as an independent candidate. But he will remain as an NPC in heart and mind, he said.

Leonardia, whose group had brought Golez into the NPC, said he can stay with the party but he cannot be assured that he will enjoy the equity of the incumbent privilege because that is not absolutely practiced in the party, and

is not provided in the constitution and bylaws of the NPC, he said.

“As a general rule, the equity of the incumbent should apply only to someone who deserves it,” he said, adding that one criteria is one’s loyalty to the party.

Leonardia, said that on many occasions, however, Golez went against issues supported by majority of the NPC members like the Charter Day celebration, the Revised Revenue Code, and the Special Education Fund, he said.

He was even surprised that Golez attacked them in Congress at a time when they were supposed to be talking, since the solon wanted to be mayor, Leonardia said.

Asked to comment on reports that he (Leonardia) could not get the endorsement of the NPC in his bid to run for congressman, and that they do not have good relations with NPC president emeritus Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, the Mayor said that such propaganda only shows that the opponent has panicked.

It is a form of sour-grapping, considering that 51 out of 61 barangay captains and 55 Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen have expressed their support for him, Leonardia said.

Leonardia said there are things he knows that he does not want to reveal. “But our group, the NPC in Bacolod, will make the official announcement in due time, insofar as our slate is concerned. We are taking our time because we want to disclose it according to what is appropriate and convenient for us," he said.

When asked if he is confident that he will get the party endorsement in his bid to run for congress, Leonardia said, "I am the shy type. I would rather let the documents speak for themselves.”*CGS

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