New face to join Bacolod politics in 2010
BACOLOD CITY – A new face will join the political landscape of this city in next year's election. But as to what position he will be running, it will be known at a proper time.
Vladi Gonzalez,Corporate President of Home Invest Realty Ventures, Inc., the company behind Santuario de Bacolod Memorial Park, has already declared his intention to run for public office in 2010.
"I am open to any position and I'm on my way of studying what should be the best position where I can be effective as a leader as many sectors are clamoring for change in leadership in the city," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez laments that the people of Bacolod have to choose between the lesser evil as the current crop of officials are considered traditional politicians. But, he said, Bacolodnons should not lose hope, they deserve something better.
He noted that today everybody is affected by the worldwide economic crisis but the worse thing in Bacolod is that it is suffering from “leadership crisis.”
When asked about the billboards scattered in strategic areas of the city printed with a slogan "Handum mo, Solusyon Ko” Gonzalez justified those were not part of his campaign but their business marketing strategy.
He said, he already got the blessing of his wife regarding his plan and he was very happy when some sectors -- like the religious and business sector -- called him saying it's high time for change.
Gonzalez's wife is the niece of Gretchen Open Cojuangco, wife of businessman Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuanco of the Nationalist People's Coalition where Mayor Evelio Leonardia also belongs.
When asked if NPC will support him because of their affiliation with the Cojuangcos, he said it depends on the arrangement that will evolve later but one thing for sure as of now, he has no master and has the machinery to run his campaign plus the support of other sectors.
Gonzalez said that former Councilor Atty. Lyndon Caña is now serving as his campaign manager.
"You know, Atty. Caña is our company's lawyer for 15 years now and I asked his help for this since we share the same sentiments," Gonzalez added.
Home Invest Realty Ventures, Inc. has a subsidiary company, J&G Gonzalez Development Construction, Inc. which handles all civil works and engineering designs.
It has constructed many subdivisions like Buena Park Subdivision, Country Homes Subdivision and Home Bridge Subdivision, to name a few.
The company also handles major infrastructure projects like Irrigation Works in Bago City, Cebu South Reclamation Project and Cebu South Coastal Road under Japanesse contractor, Kajima Corporation.