• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While the political coalition of Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) is still working in the provincial level, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday encouraged candidates to duplicate their arrangement at the local level.
In past elections, UNegA and Love Negros members in some local government units have clashed when it comes to various elected positions, but Lacson stressed “We will still have to abide by the rule on the equity of the incumbent.”
The UNegA – Love Negros coalition started in 2019, through the efforts of the late Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. and then Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, where they fielded Lacson as governor and Ferrer as vice governor, a tandem that carried over to the 2022 elections.
Lacson confirmed that he will be seeking his third term as governor of Negros Occidental during the 2025 midterm elections.
As of this time, Lacson said that he is still waiting for the final decision of UNegA on their chosen candidate for the post of vice governor in the upcoming elections.
Ferrer earlier announced that he is contemplating running as congressman of the Negros Occidental 4th district, which will be vacated by his wife, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, who is now on her final term.
The name of Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, who represents the 4th district of the province in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, has been floated to replace Ferrer as a candidate for the vice gubernatorial post.
Lacson said he expects a battle among the candidates in the cities of Silay, Talisay, and Kabankalan, and Isabela and San Enrique towns. At the same time, he also received reports that incumbent Rep. Emilio Yulo may be challenged.*
