• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that incumbent elected officials of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino in Negros Occidental are supporting his reelection bid for his third and final term as governor of the province.
“I know for a fact, that incumbent PDP members are supporting me,” Lacson said during a visit to the 3rd district of Negros Occidental.
Regarding reports of a mass resignation of PDP members in Negros Occidental, Lacson said he is not privy to the reasons for it.
He confirmed getting information that those from the 3rd district of Negros Occidental will resign from PDP.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez disclosed on Friday that he heard reports of mass resignations of PDP members in the province.
The first to resign was the group of Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug Jr. and nine city councilors, following the announcement of Atty. Jesus Hinlo, deputy secretary general of PDP Visayas, that their party is eyeing the fielding of former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca against incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in next year’s elections.
In 2016, about 200 Negros Occidental officials, including the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., mayors, vice mayors, councilors, and some board members joined the PDP, following the election of Rodrigo Roa Duterte as president.*
