• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The six mayors of the Negros Occidental 5th district have been given a free hand by the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) to choose their candidates in the district congressional race.
The mayors are “free to choose who among the congressional candidates they will support,” said Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., the UNegA secretary general.
Incumbent Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo III, a member of Lakas CMD, is facing a challenge by Board Member Anton Occeño, the president of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) – Negros Occidental chapter.
Lakas CMD is headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, while PFP is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Yulo has the support of Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia Yulo, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan, Isabela mayoral candidate Miguel Angelo Yulo and his running mate, former Vice Mayor JR Malabor, among others.
The recent fellowship activity of Rep. Yulo in Himamaylan City, was attended by more than 1,100 barangay officials in the 5th district.
Escalante said that UnegA will support incumbent members who are seeking reelection.
In the case of Himamaylan City where UNEGA members Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao have parted ways, Escalante said the party will continue to support the party members seeking reelection in their respective positions.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier endorsed Occeno in the 5th district congressional race, in response to the request of PFP national president South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., who is also the president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Yulo earlier thanked Lacson for endorsing his opponent, claiming it awakened the determination of his supporters to campaign even harder for him.
I have nothing against him. We respect his decision, the solon stressed.*
