BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Neophyte politician, Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, the mayor of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, was elected yesterday as the new president of the Association of Chief Executives in Negros Occidental.
Benitez replaces former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, who served as Negros ACE president for three years.
The son of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he is honored to be elected as Negros ACE president.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo was also elected as the vice president, with Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante as the secretary general.
The election of new set of Negros ACE officers was also attended by the different city and municipal mayors of the province.
On the other hand, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday that Love Negros and United Negros Alliance will always be guided by the principles of coalition regarding the election of a new set of officers of the Philippine Councilor’s League – Negros Occidental chapter.
Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa, a member of Love Negros, is the incumbent PCL Negros Occidental chapter president and as such, sits as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.
La Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin D. Asistio, son of Fourth District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, has recently expressed his intention to run for PCL Negros Occidental presidency, which Vice Gov. and UNegA president Jeffrey Ferrer relayed to him, Lacson said.
Gamboa earlier said that has not made any decision yet on whether he will seek again the PCL Negros Occidental presidency.
UNegA secretary general Salvador Escalante Jr said that they will meet this month to discuss the PCL elections, among other topics.
Asked if they will reach the choice of the next PCL-Negros Occidental president on a consensus basis, Lacson replied “Yes.”
The election of new set of PCL officers will be on September.
So, we have time for that, Lacson said, as they are eyeing the meeting between Love Negros and UnegA in August.
Also asked if the equity of the incumbent will be observed in the PCL Negros Occidental elections, the governor said the coalition will make the decision. Lacson also said that Sangguniang Kabataan and Liga ng Barangay incumbent officials will remain status quo, pending the holding of barangay and SK elections.
When that happens, the coalition will come into play, Lacson also said, apparently referring to SK and Liga ng Barangay elections in the province.
As to the election of new set of officers for League of Municipalities of the Philippines Negros Occidental chapter, and Negros ACE, Lacson said they have not talked about it.
But if they can decide their own mutually, I think it is okay, he stressed.*
