• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday confirmed that he is running for a third term in the 2025 midterm elections.
While his political group, Love Negros, has yet to meet to discuss the midterm elections, Lacson said “Right now, I am is the presumptive candidate for 2025, if only to also give me the opportunity to finish my term, as provided by law.”
He also said there is enough time for them to discuss the 2025 elections.
Several names have been floated earlier, as challengers for Lacson in the 2025 elections.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., the secretary general of United Negros Alliance (UNegA), has doused speculations that Rep. Alfredo Marañon III may run for governor, as he stressed that the solon is firm on completing his term as congressman of the 2nd district of Negros Occidental.
The name of Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez was also earlier floated as a candidate for governor, but he and his father, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, strongly denied such speculations.
Escalante disclosed that UNegA president, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, has indicated his intention to return to Congress in 2025, as his wife, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, is completing her third term as congresswoman of the 4th district of Negros Occidental.
UNegA is now eyeing three of its incumbent members to be included in the shortlist as the possible replacement of Ferrer for the vice gubernatorial position.
Lacson said Vice Gov. Ferrer and his family feel that they can help many more Negrenses, especially in the 4th district of Negros Occidental, should he return to Congress.
Regarding the replacement of Ferrer, he said it will be decided by UNegA.
In reply to the question of who from UNegA he would like to succeed Ferrer, Lacson said “I can work with anyone.”
Escalante reiterated that UNegA is fully committed to its alliance with Love Negros, and will support Lacson in his bid for his third and last term in 2025.
Lacson said he is happy with the continued support of UNegA for his administration. “We will continue to work together,” he stressed.*
