Bacolod City – The tandem of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, running for the position of governor and vice governor, respectively, for the 2025 midterm elections got the backing of Love Negros during its recent general assembly in Bacolod City.
Previously, they also got the support of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA), which went into an alliance with Love Negros in 2019.
“It has been a good five years of alliance with the United Negros Alliance (UNegA),” Lacson said, stressing that he is happy with the choice of Alonso as his running mate in the upcoming elections.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who is among the convenors of Love Negros convenors, disclosed that the coalition is “solid and strong.”
“Whatever happens in the national scenes, Negros Occidental is seen as united and strong. National officials see the province, including Bacolod, as very solid. The partnership is united and friendships,” Benitez stressed.
Come backing mayoral candidates, Isidro Zayco of Kabankalan and Mark Golez of Silay City, also got the support of Love Negros, Lacson said, as he also expects the political group to back the congressional bid of Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, UNegA president, in the 4th district of Negros Occidental.
“Those that are present today are most likely official candidates of their respective LGUs,” Lacson said.
Present at the Love Negros general assembly were San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era, Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon and his son, Matthew Louis, who will run to replace the former as the town mayor, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, Hinigaran Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo, Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla, Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz, Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez, Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara, Sipalay City Mayor Gina Montilla Lizares, and Hinobaan Mayor Daph Reliquias.
Also present were Rep. Gerardo Valmayor (1st district, Negros Occidental), former Silay City Mayor Mark Golez and former Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, who is eyeing to be the first nominee of the Abang Lingkod partylist group, Board Members Jeffrey Tubola, Andrew Montelibano, Araceli Somosa, Rommel Debulgado, and RJ Sablan.
Lacson said he is happy with the attendance at the convention, despite the inclement weather. “I wish them the best for the elections,” the governor said.
Mayor Javi Benitez, the son of the Bacolod Mayor, said he will announce his decision on whether he will seek reelection as mayor of Victorias City, or vie for the 3rd district congressional post that was vacated by his uncle, Jose Francisco Benitez, on September 20.
Lacson also praised Rep. Valmayor for giving up his third and final term as congressman of the 1st district of Negros Occidental, to accommodate returning Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, stressing that there was no condition where he would be placed.
“What was important for him (Valmayor) is the unity that we have in San Carlos City, to remain as solid”, the governor said.
“He is willing to make that sacrifice for the former Rep. Ledesma IV,” Lacson said. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)