BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon yesterday confirmed that he is running for mayor of Himamaylan City, challenging incumbent Mayor Raymond Tongson.
Prior to his announcement, Bascon said that he had asked permission from Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, as a form of respect to the two top officials of the province.
“Okay gid sila”, Bascon said, when asked if Gov. Lacson and Vice Gov. Ferrer approved his intention to run for mayor of Himamaylan City.
Bascon is a member of Love Negros, where Lacson belongs, while Tongson is affiliated with United Negros Alliance (UNegA) where Ferrer served as the political party president.
Lacson earlier said that they have already completed their line up in the provincial level, from governor, vice governor to board members, except for the 5th district, as they are still waiting the decision of Bascon.
Should there will be a vacancy for the 5th district at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Lacson said that they will recommend somebody.
Bascon did not name his running mate for the vice mayoralty position of Himamaylan City. But Bascon said he will announce it in due time.
The filing of Certificate of Candidacy for local and national elected positions slated from Oct. 1 to 8.
With the announcement of Bascon that he is running for mayor of Himamaylan City, the possibility that Himamaylan City will be joining Toboso and Isabela “free zones” during the May 2022 elections next year, is no longer remote.
Members of UNegA and Love Negros are running against each other for the local elected positions, despite of merger in the provincial level.
Eleven mayors, who either affiliated with Love Negros and United Negros Alliance, and the Philippine Councilor’s League- Negros Occidental chapter, have expressed their support to the Lacson-Ferrer tandem.*
