BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson remains mum on the presidential candidate he will be supporting in the May 9 elections, despite the earlier confirmation of San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo that he is supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.
Gustilo earlier said that San Carlos City, as well as the entire 1st district of Negros Occidental, including Rep. Gerardo Valmayor, expressed their support to the UniTeam led by the BBM-Sara tandem.
After former Rep. Julio Ledesma IV manifested that he is for the UniTeam “so everybody follows him in the 1st district,” Lacson said.
“So, it’s okay. That’s their personal choice. They will campaign for their candidates. I will campaign for my candidate,” Lacson said.
Gustilo clarified that they have discussed their choice of presidential candidate with Gov. Lacson. “That is the beauty of us. We sit down and discuss whom we will support,” he added.
Since Gov. Lacson prefers VP Leni, there is no question, he added.
Asked if he is alone as VP Leni supporter, Lacson replied in jest “according to Mayor Gustilo.”
Also asked if there is a date on the scheduled of Robredo campaign sorties in the province, Lacson also said “I understand next month, she is here.”
If invited, Lacson said he will join her.
Lacson also congratulated Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer for the successful UniTeam grand political rally in Bacolod City on February 23. “He was so happy. His adrenalin was so high, as he performed on stage. And he is now labelled as a rock star,” the governor said.
Ferrer, who refused to comment on support of Lacson to the presidential bid of Robredo, said that 29 of 31 mayors of Negros Occidental and six congressmen manifested their support to the BBM-Sara tandem.*
