• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Board Member Anton Occeño yesterday clarified that there was no announcement or endorsement, from five mayors in the 5th district of Negros Occidental, of Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, a niece of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
There has been speculation that Tantoco, the daughter of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, may challenge incumbent Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo in the Negros Occidental 5th district congressional race during the elections on the May next year.
Occeño confirmed that he and five mayors of the 5th district met with former President Arroyo, her husband, Jose Miguel, their son, Mikey, as well as Tantoco, for a consultative meeting, three weeks ago at their residence in Metro Manila.
There was no announcement for Arroyo-Tantoco to run for the 5th district congressional post, nor was she endorsed by the mayors of the 5th district for the position, he said.
In the 2022 elections, Yulo defeated incumbent Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, sister-in-law of PGMA, who had the support of all mayors in the 5th district.
“It is very premature to talk that Dina got the endorsement, because there was no endorsement that happened,” Occeño pointed out.
One thing for sure, the Arroyo’s are really willing to help the district, he added.
During the meeting, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said they would also like to know the plans of the Arroyo family for the 5th district of Negros Occidental.
Mangilimutan also clarified that Arroyo-Tantoco has made no announcement that she will run for the congressional post.
“If somebody will run, it depends on our party,” she added.
Asked for his reaction, Yulo said “there is a time for everything, especially in the 5th district,” stressing that they are still facing so many problems, as of this time.
“I think it is unfair to the people to talk about politics at this time, as there are still problems on the Kanlaon eruption,” he added.*
