Bacolod City – Six Negros Occidental mayoral bets, two being incumbent local chief executives, have joined Lakas CMD, the political party of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. disclosed over-the-weekend.
Escalante and Toboso Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco are two incumbent mayors who will be seeking reelection under the banner of Lakas CMD.
On the other hand, Mayor Manolet Escalante, who also joined Lakas-CMD, yesterday said that his daughter, Mika, an incumbent town councilor, will be running for mayor of Manapla, instead of him.
Mayor Neil Lizares and his wife, Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez-Lizares, also joined Lakas-CMD, according to Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.
Atty. Lizares is running for mayor of Talisay City to replace her husband, Neil, who is in his last term as the local chief executive.
Don Salvador Benedicto Vice Mayor Nehemiah Joe dela Cruz Jr. who is running for town mayor in the elections next year, as well as Murcia Vice Mayor Johnny Reusora, Councilor Anejo Nicor, who is also running for mayor in La Castellana, and Felix Matias Segundo Feria Yulo, who will vie for the vice mayoral position in Moises Padilla, also joined the Lakas-CMD, aside from several other councilors in different local government units of the province, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. further said.
On Thursday, Lakas-CMD candidates in Negros Occidental filled up their respective Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA), which was already submitted to the national party officials in Manila, he added.
Escalante also said that the local LAKAS-CMD candidates will have a general assembly today September 30. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)