• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Victorias City Councilor Derek Palanca, a vice mayoral aspirant in next year’s polls, yesterday joined his colleagues in supporting the tandem of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and his running mate, Board Member Jose Benito Alonso.
“I think it is clear that ever since, my stand is with the party,” Palanca stressed.
Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) deputy secretary general for Visayas, Atty. Jesus ‘Jayvee’ Hinlo earlier disclosed that he is 99 percent sure that former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick ‘Wantan’ Palanca will run for governor of Negros Occidental. Derek is the son of Wantan.
Councilor Palanca, however, said there has been no announcement from his father, adding that as of this time, he has heard nothing from him.
Following the announcement of Mayor Javier Benitez that he will run for congressman in the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, Vice Mayor Abelardo ‘JunB’ Bantug III has formally accepted the party endorsement for him to run as mayor of Victorias City, with Councilor Palanca as his running mate.
Bantug said he will continue the unfinished projects of Benitez, and will introduce more projects along the way, especially in agriculture.
He also announced that they are in full support of the Lacson-Alonso tandem in next year’s elections.
Former Mayor Palanca joined the PDP early this year.
The complete slate of the Bantug-Palanca tandem includes reelectionist councilors Dino Acuña, Danilo de Asis Jr., Daylen Tornea-Hofileña, Joji Adorio-Larraga, Hermie Millan, Dexter Senido and Warlito Undar, and councilor aspirants Juvy Pepello, Vincent Marie Roa, and Richard Cuaycong.
All of them are members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipino, a political party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.*
