BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The reelection bid of Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan for her last term as mayor of La Castellana in Negros Occidental got the endorsement of United Negros Alliance, Love Negros and Abang Lingkod partylist group.
This was announced by House Minority Leader Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano before members of UNegA during its general assembly at Bago City coliseum, which was also attended by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Love-Negros.
Mangilimutan is being challenged by Vice Mayor Manuel Vera, her running mate in two previous elections.
Three months before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October, Paduano said it was agreed that Mangilimutan and Vera will be running unopposed in their respective positions in La Castellana, during a meeting in Victorias City, also attended by Gov. Lacson, Vice Gov. Ferrer, and him.
It was also agreed that Vera will succeed Mangilimutan in 2025, and UNegA will look for a vice mayoralty candidate, he added.
But two days before the filing of COC, Paduano said he was informed by Vera, whom he supported during his term as councilor and later as vice mayor, that he will be running for mayor in La Castellana.
But Paduano said he told Vera that he, Love Negros and UNegA will not support him, as they already made an agreement earlier. “We can’t reneged that agreement,” he said, stressing also that whatever commitment that has been made should be followed.
Asked for her reaction, Mangilimutan, who attended the UNegA general assembly, thanked Gov. Lacson, Vice Gov. Ferrer and Rep. Paduano for their support for her reelection bid.
Mangilimutan said their support is a big boost to her candidacy.
“It is a sign that our leaders in the top have a word of honor in unifying Negros, she stressed.*
