• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson disclosed yesterday that he is “inspired” by the statement issued by Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, that the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) will continue to support his administration.
Escalante, the secretary general of UNegA, earlier said that their alliance with Love Negros, where Lacson is affiliated with, remains strong.
He noted that Lacson, even though he is not a member of their political group, helped UNegA-led local government units.
On Mayor Escalante saying that UNegA does not feel that they have been alienated, Lacson said “that’s where I took my inspiration.”
Since Day 1 of his administration, he stressed that the provincial government is also present in UNegA led LGUs.
“We did not play favoritism because we have a coalition. We try to serve everyone, regardless of political affiliation,” Lacson pointed out.
Escalante maintained that the UNegA-Love Negros coalition remains strong. “I am sure it will carry up to the next election,” he said, apparently referring to the 2025 polls.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez has strongly belied reports that he is running against Lacson in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
His denial was echoed by his father, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez.
Regarding reports that Escalante is being groomed to be his running mate in 2025, Lacson said “the choice is that of UNegA.”
There were speculations that Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, the UNegA president, will return to Congress, as representative of the 4th district of Negros Occidental, replacing his wife, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, who is on her last term.*
