BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Love Negros may still field mayoralty candidates in Toboso and Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday that Love Negros will choose between former mayor Evelio “Dodong” Valencia and incumbent Toboso Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome as their candidate for mayor of Toboso in the 2022 elections.
TWO WOMEN
Incumbent Mayor Richard Jaojoco announced earlier that his wife, Madonna, a niece of the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., will run for mayor of Toboso, with former Liga ng Barangay president Maria Luisa dela Cruz, being eyed as her running mate.
Lacson said Councilor Anthony Daph Reliquias and barangay chairman Oscar Daclan will fight it out for the mayoralty post of Hinobaan, with Mayor Ernesto Estrao set to complete his three terms as local chief executive.
Both are close to Rep. Genaro Alvarez Jr. (Neg. Occ., 6th District), he added.
Estrao confirmed yesterday that he will run for vice mayor of Hinobaan, with Reliquias as his mayor.
COMING BACK
Lacson also said that former Rep. Mercedes Alvarez is planning to make a comeback and replace her father.
He also confirmed that Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon told him of his intention to run for mayor of Himamaylan City. “But there is nothing final yet, as of this time,” Lacson said.
The clash between Love Negros and United Negros Alliance mayoralty candidates in Isabela town, or between Mayor Irene Montilla and Vice-Mayor Renato Malabor, may also take place, he added.
Lacson also said that there is no issue in Murcia town, as incumbent Mayor Gerry Rojas is being supported by Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.
He also confirmed that Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III is running for the 2nd district congressional post.
Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva, who is set to finish his three terms next year, will run as vice-mayor of Sagay, while incumbent VM Narwin Javelosa will gun for the mayoralty post of Sagay, UNegA secretary general Salvador Escalante said earlier.
Lacson also said that Rep. Gerardo Valmayor will seek re-election in the first district, like Rep. Juliet Ferrer in the fourth district of Negros Occidental.*
