BACOLOD City – In a sweeping victory that marks a significant shift in local governance, Team Asenso emerged triumphant in the 2025 midterm elections here, securing key positions including the mayoralty, vice mayoralty, congressional seat, and a majority of City Council seats.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) partial and unofficial results as of 12:12 a.m. today, incumbent Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez decisively clinched the city’s lone congressional seat with 162,419 votes, defeating former mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia of the Nacionalista Party, who garnered 117,706 votes.
In a strategic role reversal, incumbent Cong. Greg Gasataya of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), also under Team Asenso, secured the mayoralty with 156,257 votes, besting incumbent vice mayor El Cid Familiaran of Lakas-CMD, who obtained 140,446 votes.
Gasataya’s transition from legislator to executive is anticipated to bring continuity and depth to the city’s development agenda.
Meanwhile, Councilor Kalaw Puentevella led the vice mayoral race with 145,292 votes, overcoming independent candidate Enoy Novero, who received 131,506 votes. His win completed Team Asenso’s top-ticket sweep in Bacolod’s local government.
Team Asenso also continued its momentum in the Council, winning the majority of seats. The top vote-getters include:
* Caesar Distrito (NPC)
* Israel Salanga (NPC)
* Em Ang (NPC)
* Thaddy Sayson (NPC)
* Jason Villarosa (NPC)
* Celia Flor (Independent)
* Bobby Rojas (NPC)
* Wilson Gamboa Jr. (Independent)
* Dindo Ramos (Independent)
* Pao Sy (NPC)
* Homer Bais (NPC)
* Al Victor Espino (NPC)
On the other hand, Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson was on track for re-election with a landslide 871,472 votes, far ahead of closest challenger Wantan Palanca (PDP–Laban), who earned 64,471 votes.
Joeben Alonso (NUP) led the vice gubernatorial race with 600,998 votes, while Rosemarie Jaro Dreyfus (PLM) trails with 124,155 votes./PN
