• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer expressed his intention to return to Congress as representative of the 4th district of Negros Occidental, the United Negros Alliance is already eyeing three incumbent UNegA officials to include in the shortlist as his possible replacement.
UNegA secretary general and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. disclosed that Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer is about to complete her three terms as congresswoman of the 4th district of Negros Occidental in 2025.
Escalante said that Vice Gov. Ferrer, who is the UNegA president, intends to replace his wife, Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, at the House of Representatives.
The Cadiz City mayor, however, clarified that he is not among the three incumbent UNegA officials in the shortlist.
He also stressed that Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer is retiring from politics, and her name is not included in the shortlist for the vice gubernatorial position.
Under the UNegA and Love Negros coalition, Escalante said that their political group will choose their vice gubernatorial bet.
He also stressed that UNegA is fully committed to its alliance with Love Negros, and will support Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacsdon for his third and last term in 2025.
As to speculation that Rep. Alfredo Marañon III may run for the position as governor of Negros Occidental, Escalante said the solon is firm in his decision to finish three terms as congressman of the 2nd district of Negros Occidental.
Escalante and Marañon will have another meeting on November 17, after an initial meeting of UNegA officials before the October 30 barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan elections.*
