• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Stressing that he cannot choose his opponent, incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that a challenger in the gubernatorial race will neither affect, nor alter his plan to run for another term, which he said is allowed by law.
“Anybody can always run for any government position,” Lacson said.
Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) deputy secretary general for Visayas, Atty. Jesus ‘Jayvee’ Hinlo disclosed on Wednesday, he is 99 percent sure that former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca will run for governor of Negros Occidental in the 2025 elections.
Palanca served as mayor of Victorias City for nine years. He is a member of the PDP, the political party of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Lacson said he will present to Negrenses what his administration has done for six years, and “let the people decide.”
On October 3, Lacson said he and his running mate, Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, will file their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COC), and he also invited former Representative Julio Ledesma IV, who is running for congressman in the 1st district of Negros Occidental, and other board members, to join them.
The Commission on Elections has chosen the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City as the venue for the filing of COCs, for the posts of congressman, governor, vice governor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Meanwhile, candidates for mayor, vice mayor, and councilor will be filed at city and municipal election offices, starting from Oct. 1 to 8, even on Saturdays and Sundays.
With regard to the running mate of Palanca, Hinlo raised the possibility that he will be running alone. But we will ally ourselves with those who will not support Gov. Bong, he added.
The Lacson – Alonso tandem currently has the support of the Love Negros and United Negros Alliance coalition.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer will be running for congressman in the 4th district of Negros Occidental.*
