BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Apparently unfazed by the support of almost all mayors and six solons in Negros Occidental to the presidential bid of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday ended months of speculations, as he manifested his support to Vice President Leni Robredo in the May 9 elections.
“When we face our ballots on May 9, there’s only one question that you should ask yourself, it’s who do you trust”, Lacson said.
Lacson is not standing alone among local chief executives who are supporting the presidential bid of Robredo, as there are three other mayors who are perceived to be Robredo supporters, including Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Maranon IIII, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and Sipalay City Mayor Gina Montilla- Lizares, who were absent during the recent meeting with Marcos.
He admitted that he was not able to talk to the three mayors perceived to be supporters of Robredo.
The Robredo campaign is expected to have its proclamation rally in Bacolod City on March 11.
Lacson said that he will attend the proclamation of Robredo, if invited.
He added that the group of VP Leni is still looking for an area to hold their rally.
Asked if he will actively campaign for Robredo, Lacson said “Right now, I will confirm that I am for Robredo.”
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, on the other hand, facilitated the meeting between Marcos and the 28 mayors, which was also attended by former Rep. Alfredo Benitez and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Lacson said that he respects the decision of 28 mayors for supporting Marcos, stressing also that he will no longer exert effort to convince them to change their mind.
“It will remain that majority of our local chief executives are for Marcos-Duterte-Carpio (tandem),” he also said.
Gov. Rafael Coscolluela is the campaign manager of Robredo in Negros Occidental.
As for the post of vice president, Lacson said the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)of which he is a member, will still have to meet in March.
NPC is fielding Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto as the vice-presidential candidate of Reporma presidential bet Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
While NPC members are still waiting if there is a strict order to support a certain candidate, Lacson said that the party is particularly focused on the position of vice-president.
He said that the decision of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, NPC chairman, in running for vice-president was not made in consultation with party members.*
