• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. declared yesterday that PFP was able to get the super majority of Negros Island Region officials, after around 210 new members took their oath on August 26 in Bacolod City.
Two of the three NIR governors, including Jake Villa of Siquijor and Manuel ‘Chaco’ Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental, are PFP members, while Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson remains with the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which has an alliance with the PFP, disclosed Tamayo, who is also the governor of South Cotabato.
The Negros Occidental mayors who took their oaths as new PFP members include E.B Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, Hinobaan Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, and Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz.
Joining the PFP in previous months were Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson, and Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego.
Benitez said that the town officials of Toboso led by Mayor Madonna Jaojoco are also joining the PFP.
Also taking oath as new members were former Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, Isabela Vice Mayor Juan Miguel Montilla, Cauayan Vice Mayor Analiza Tabujara Soriano.
They were also joined by officials from Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Tamayo said that they are still accepting new members, as many more NIR officials wanted to join the PFP.
In his message during the oathtaking rites as president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, Mayor Benitez said PFP is more than just a political organization, stressing that “it is a movement dedicated to progress, empowerment, and the transformation of the nation.”
The PFP, according to Mayor Benitez, now stands as the party with the highest number of governors in the country.
This is a testament to our collective commitment to empowering local governance, ensuring that every Filipino, no matter where they are, has a voice and a stake in our nation’s future, the Negros ACE president further said.
Gov. Lacson, a member of the NPC, expressed his support for the PFP, which is guided by the vision and leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
PFP has established alliances with the NPC, National Unity Party, Lakas CMD, and Nacionalista Party.
“Our collective support for the PFP is also a commitment to Bagong Pilipinas, the President’s vision of inclusive governance and leadership,” Lacson said.
Bagong Pilipinas represents the change for nation building that we all aspire to – change that not only promotes development, but, more importantly, advocates for structural reforms and inclusivity, ensuring that no Filipino is behind in our quest for a better quality of life for everyone, he added.
Negros Occidental Board Member Anton Occeño, who is reportedly eyed to mount a challenge against incumbent 5th district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, is the PFP provincial chairman.
Negros Occidental 3rd district Representative turned TESDA secretary Jose Francisco Benitez also gave his message of support during the activity.*
