• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Members of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and Love Negros yesterday took advantage of their presence at the Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, to renew their camaraderie, after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is a confirmation that the coalition is getting stronger” UNegA secretary general and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., said.
The UNegA assembly was also attended by Love Negros leaders, including Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who was invited by Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, party chairman of the former, along with its president, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.
La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on coined the term “Unified Negros,” with the presence of members of the two political groups, led by their respective leaders. Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who attended the opening of Pasalamat Festival, failed to attend the assembly as he was still in Hinobaan.
Escalante explained that “Unified Negros” is a coalition of UNegA and Love Negros, which started during the first term of Lacson as governor, and his second term with Ferrer as his running mate.
Ferrer, on the other hand, said there is no problem with the alliance between UnegA and Love Negros.
On the sidelights of the UNegA meeting, Escalante admitted the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October this year was discussed, adding that clashes among members cannot be avoided.
He raised the possibility that “free zone (zona libre)” may be declared in some areas, if the clashes among their members cannot be avoided.
Regarding the 2025 elections, Escalante said it was not discussed. “All is quiet in the western front of Negros Occidental,” he added.
Should there be competition for certain positions between UNegA and Love Negros, it will be discussed by leaders of the two political groups, Ferrer said.
“There’s no need for clashes, as long as people to be placed in positions are qualified,” the UNegA president stressed.
Benitez, on the other hand, thanked both UNegA and Love Negros for their support in winning the Bacolod mayoralty race.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who dropped by the UNegA assembly, also thanked them for their support. He was accompanied by his friend, movie actor Philip Salvador.*
