BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The tandem of movie actor Javi Benitez and Abelardo Bantug III for the mayoral and vice mayoralty positions in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, got the support of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and the entire Metro Third District Team Asenso.
At the same time, Lacson and Ferrer also supported the tandem of incumbent Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares and his running mate, former Councilor Nicolai Jalandoni, for the vice mayoralty position in the May 2022 elections.
The declaration of support was made by Lacson and Ferrer during a recent dinner hosted by Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez in Victorias City, which also attended by the Metro 3rd District mayors, Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, Board Members Andrew Montelibano and Manuel Frederick Palanca.
Lacson and Ferrer also discussed the strengthening of the Love Negros and United Negros Alliance coalition in the Metro Third District.
The Team Asenso in the 3rd District also expressed their full support for the Lacson-Ferrer tandem.
Also endorsed by the Team Asenso were the candidacies of Francisco Benitez and Paduano who are reelectionists, and Francis Frederick Palanca, as a second nominee for the Abang Lingkod partylist group.
Despite the Love Negros-UNegA coalition, both political groups failed to settle the imminent clash among their respective members in Toboso, Isabela, Hinigaran and Himamaylan City.
UNegA secretary general Salvador Escalante disclosed that Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo of Love Negros will be challenged by Mitchell Peralta for the mayoralty post.
Love Negros Board member Ernesto Agustin Bascon announced earlier that he will be running for mayor in Himamaylan City, against UNegA incumbent Mayor Raymund Tongson.*
