• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Lakas CMD headed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez appears to be “flexing its muscles” in Negros politics, as it aired support for the candidacies of six mayoral candidates and the reelection of Fifth District Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo.
Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, who is helping Speaker Romualdez in organizing Lakas CMD in Negros Occidental, said they are supporting the candidacies of Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lizares as mayor of Talisay City, Mark Golez as mayor of Silay City, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for Bacolod City, Miguel Angelo Yulo for mayor of Isabela, Añejo Nicor for La Castellana mayor, and the reelection of Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.
Rep. Yulo, who is seeking a second term as the congressman of the Negros Occidental 5th district, is being challenged by Board Member Anton Occeño, president of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) Negros Occidental chapter.
While he thanked the support of Lakas CMD national directorate in his reelection bid, Yulo said what is important for him will be the endorsement of the people of 5th district during the May 12 elections.
Paduano said that Yulo, Lizares, who was accompanied by her husband, incumbent Mayor Neil Lizares, Familiaran, and Escalante attended the Lakas CMD national meeting on Tuesday in Metro Manila.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez have expressed their support for the congressional bid of Occeño. Both are members of the Love Negros political group.
While he respects the position of Gov. Lacson to support Occeño, Paduano said he has no idea if other members of Love Negros were consulted on the endorsement. But usually, it is the prerogative of the most highest elected official in the province to choose who he will support, the party list congressman said.
The NPC, Lakas CMD, National Unity Party (NUP), and Nacionalista Party have established an alliance with the PFP that is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the senatorial candidates of the Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas of the administration.
In Bacolod City, Familiaran of Lakas CMD and Rep. Greg Gasataya of NPC are vying for the post of the local chief executive.
In the 5th district, Yulo said he has the support of Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan, and Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo.
Felix Mathias Yulo, husband of incumbent Mayor Garcia-Yulo and a member of Lakas CMD, is running for the vice mayoral position of Moises Padilla.*
