• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The United Negros Alliance (UNEgA) is keeping its hands off the Negros Occidental 3rd district congressional race in the 2025 midterm elections, following the appointment of former Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez as the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, the UNegA president, said yesterday that they have to respect the leadership of the 3rd district.
The caretaker of the 3rd district is yet to be announced by the leadership of the House of Representatives.
UNegA will have its general assembly on September 7 in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, to present its candidates and resolve concerns among their members in the different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
Board Member Jose Benito Alonso is also expected to be formally announced as the party’s vice gubernatorial candidate, in tandem with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who will seek reelection under the UNegA-Love Negros unity ticket.
Ferrer assured that there will be no clash between candidates of UNegA and Love Negros in the elections next year.
In response to reports that he may be challenged by Leah Delfinado, former regional director of Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas, Ferrer said he would welcome any opponent in the 4th district congressional race.
This is an election, anybody can run as long as they are qualified, Ferrer said, stressing that every time he is challenged, he ends up victorious in previous elections in the 4th district.
Ferrer also brushed aside insinuations that his opponent is backed by a powerful and influential person, as he further stressed it is only the people of the 4th district who are powerful and influential, and the Lord above.
He also announced that UNegA will be supporting the congressional bid of Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, representing that Abang Lingkod partylist group.
Ever since, we have been supporting Abang Lingkod, he further said.
Incumbent Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano is now on his last term as a member of the House of Representatives.*
