SAN JOSE CITY — Former allies-turned-political arch-rivals in this city have buried the hatchet and agreed to unite for the common good of San Josenians and for the progress and development of the city.

On Sunday, incumbent city mayor Mario “Kokoy” Salvador and former local chief executive Alexander S. Belena finally came face-to-face with each other for the first time after over a decade and “let bygones be bygones” since parting separate ways in 2007.

It would be recalled that their political alliance turned sour when then-City Mayor Belena, who was on his second term, opted not to run for re-election for his last term sensing that he had no mayoral opponent. Belena, a lawyer, instead fielded his wife, Marivic Violago-Belena as his possible successor in the 2007 mayoral polls.

The move triggered a falling-out with then-Vice Mayor Salvador, who said that it supposedly violated their gentlemen’s agreement that after Mayor Alexander completes his last term it was his turn to run for mayor in 2010.

Salvador fielded his wife Veronica, who was defeated by Marivic in the 2007 mayoral polls.

Their bitter rivalry extended until the next four mayoralty elections with Marivic winning the 2010 and 2013 polls over Salvador.

Salvador trounced Alexander in 2016 and then Marivic in 2019.

The venue where the two former friends agreed to become allies once again was at the house of former provincial board member Ferdinand “Dindo” Dysico in Bgy. Tulat.

Witnesses to the forging of the Salvador-Belena “political alliance” were incumbent city councilors and board members, barangay officials, political leaders, including friends and supporters of both camps.

During the meeting, Belena expressed their support to the present administration of Mayor Salvador, practically endorsing the latter’s reelection bid for the 2022 local polls.

Belena said “Team Belena” is taking a “leave of absence” from politics for 2022 but added they will still continue to help for the common good of the people and the betterment of San Jose City.

For his part, Salvador is happy and thankful for the support given to him by the former mayor and his family.

“Ngayong araw na ito ako ay kanyang inimbita kasama ang kanyang mga leaders upang ideklara na kami ay magkasama na, kaya ako ay natutuwa kay Attorney Alex Belena, kay Mayor Alex sapagkat dati naman kaming magkaibigan at ngayon ay simula ulit kami magiging magkaibigan at siya ay sumusuporta sa amin sa aking administrasyon para naman sa pag-unlad ng San Jose,” said Salvador.