Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. (first from left, seated), newly elected president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, is shown with fellow mayors of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya (second from left, seated), in this photo from Gasataya’s official Facebook page.
By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Third-term Cadiz City Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante Jr. has been elected president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE).
Escalante was unanimously chosen during the Negros ACE general assembly held July 11, 2025, at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Outgoing Negros ACE president and 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez expressed full support for Escalante’s election.
“Now on his final term, Mayor Bading brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to inter-LGU collaboration,” Benitez said.
He added that Escalante previously served as secretary general and was a key supporter during his tenure as president.
Benitez also said Escalante reaffirmed his openness to the long-standing idea of forming a regional political party, “an idea first raised by Mayor Albee, and one I continue to support.”
The newly elected 2025 Negros ACE officers are:
President – Mayor Salvador G. Escalante Jr. (Cadiz City)
Chairman of the Board – Mayor Jun Bantug (Victorias City)
Secretary General – Mayor Jose Maria Alonso (Pontevedra)
Treasurer – Mayor Jilson Tubillara (San Enrique)
Auditor – Mayor Rey Ruiz (Candoni)
Public Information Officer – Mayor Raymond Tongson (Himamaylan City)
The Board of Directors includes:
1st District – Mayor Richard Jaojoco (Toboso)
2nd District – Mayor Michaela Escalante (Manapla)
3rd District – Mayor Jun Bantug (Victorias City)
4th District – Mayor Mayette Javellana (Bago City)
5th District – Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo (Isabela)
6th District – Mayor Daph Aguilar (Hinoba-an)
Lone District (Bacolod City) – Mayor Greg Gasataya (Bacolod City)