IN THE 2022 elections, Silay City, Negros Occidental witnessed a stunning political upset when Joedith Gallego unseated sugar planter and political heavyweight Mark Golez.
It was historic — Joedith became the first-ever mayor of Silay, dubbed the “Little Paris” of Negros, who did not come from a landed or haciendero background. He narrowly defeated Golez, his former ally from the 2016 elections, by just over 3,000 votes.
Then, in the early hours of Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Joedith pulled off yet another landmark victory — this time with a resounding margin.
The former security guard garnered 45,913 votes, trouncing Golez’s 30,651 — a margin of 15,262 votes. That’s five times his winning lead from 2022.
But Joedith told yours truly he couldn’t fully savor the sweetness of his triumph. Instead, he described it as bittersweet.
Why?
Because just a day earlier — on election day itself — two of his campaign volunteers were shot dead and seven others wounded in a tragic shooting at the corner of McKinley and Ipil-Ipil Streets in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, around 7 a.m.
The alleged gunman? Lantad barangay captain Arnie “Cookie” Benedicto, who later surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the province. According to Silay police chief Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, one of the surviving victims identified Benedicto as the gunman.
All Eyes on Silay
The so-called “Mambulac Shooting” sparked outrage not only in Silay but across Negros Occidental — and even made national headlines.
What unfolded was a high-stakes, high-drama lockdown: the police, army, NBI agents, and SWAT cordoned off the crime scene — directly in front of Team Asenso’s headquarters — for the entire day and night.
On May 13, all eyes were on Silay. The city wasn’t just electing a mayor — it was grappling with a tragedy that marred democracy.
Calm Amid Chaos
Yet, amid the chaos and tension, Joedith remained calm and composed. He did not rant. He did not wail. Instead, he quietly visited the victims — both the deceased in the funeral home and the injured in the hospital.
From Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, he ordered the transfer of the wounded to a private hospital in Bacolod. He condemned what he called a “barbaric act” — but even then, his voice remained low and steady.
Joedith faced the media repeatedly, but never with anger or bitterness. When asked what he planned to do about the incident, his reply was simple: “I hope the suspects will be brought to the bar of justice.”
He also promised never to abandon the families of the victims.
That’s Joedith — simple, soft-spoken, without hatred. A man of few words. Yet his quiet demeanor has a disarming effect. It sobers even the most hardened critics. Strange, perhaps. But real.
In a political world where bravado is currency, Joedith is the rare figure who seems to have mastered the art of calm. As if trained to restrain anger and remain humble at all times. It’s a quality many others lack. And in that lies his greatest asset.
A Story Like No Other
Joedith’s political journey isn’t flashy — it’s steeped in tension and struggle. From working as a security guard in a Silay sugar mill, he became barangay captain of E. Lopez, then president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), and eventually vice mayor.
In 2019, he ran for mayor against Golez — and lost, reportedly betrayed by a politician who had promised him support.
But in 2022, he returned. Armed not with money or machinery, but with the love of the people. And he won.
This 2025, he won again — but this time, the price was steep: two lives lost, seven injured. Painful. Unfathomable.
The People’s Mayor
Let it be known: Joedith was not the choice of Gov. Bong Lacson, nor of the powerful Benitez clan in the 3rd District and Bacolod. But he didn’t mind.
He never relied on political alliances. Instead, he drew strength from the masa — the common folk whose love and trust he carries with pride.
In fact, Silaynons’ deep affection for Joedith has redefined local politics. It gave true meaning to the timeless political mantra: “Gugma versus kwarta!”
In 2022, love triumphed. In 2025, love triumphed again.
Indeed, Joedith is worth watching. There’s something in him that defies convention. Something that makes you pause and ponder.
Yes — Joedith Gallego is history in himself./PN
