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Bacolod City, Philippines Monday, April 2, 2012
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Mirasol gets formidable
backing, Yulo won’t quit

BY CARLA GOMEZ

The United Negros Alliance Saturday threw its full force behind Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol for congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental making him a seemingly unbeatable candidate in the June 2 special election.

But Board Member Emilio Yulo III, his lone opponent so far, yesterday said this has not deterred him from also running for the post.

“I have not changed my mind… this is not new to me,” Yulo said, pointing out that when he first ran for board member of the fifth district, it was as an independent, and in 2010, he barely had any support from the United Negros Alliance.

Yulo who campaigned for Manny Villar for president in 2010 ran under the Nacionalista Party ticket then.

At a UNA caucus in Bacolod City Saturday Gov. Alfredo Marañon. Jr., Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District), Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (3rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District), and Mercedes Alvarez (6th District) announced that their party is throwing its full support behind Mirasol.

Marañon said that, although Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (1st District) was not present, he also expressed his support for Mirasol.

Mirasol also has the support of the leaders of the five towns of the fifth district of Negros Occidental, with only Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon not present, after announcing that he is supporting Yulo.

Among the fifth district mayors who attended the caucus and announced their support for Mirasol, were Hermilo Aguilar of Hinigaran, Francis Malabor of Isabela, Alberto Nicor Jr. - La Castellana and Francisco Nazareno – Moises Padilla.

Marañon said he was happy with the support given to Mirasol, especially by the mayors of the fifth district.

We have a very strong force behind our candidate for congressman, he said.

He said the decision of Bascon not to support Mirasol was not a threat, it will not mean that his opponent will get all the votes in Himamaylan.

The governor called on all parties to keep the elections friendly and to respect the democratic process.

“Let it be politics of issues,” he said.

The special election for congressman of the fifth district is being held following the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. on January 26, prompting the House to declare the fifth congressional seat vacant.

IBUNA REACTION

Grace Ibuna, long time partner of Arroyo, said she is truly joyful that Mirasol got the UNA endorsement.

“I personally feel that he will be the man that will truly serve our less fortunate brothers, that he will share his many talents to continue the progress of the district and he will really care for the people’s needs,” she said.

Ibuna said she is going to the fifth district to personally help Mirasol in any way she can.

“I hope he will prioritize education and livelihood programs that will address poverty. I also believe in the partnership of Mayor Bebot and his wife, Mary Ann. God bless them and God bless the fifth district,” she said.

RENEWAL

Mirasol said that, given the chance to be congressman of the fifth district, he will implement the RENEWAL program he is implementing in Binalbagan in the entire fifth district.

RENEWAL stands for: R - roads and infrastructure, E - environment, N - nutrition and social services, E - education , W – water A- agriculture, and L – livelihood, he said.

He will also continue the projects of Rep. Arroyo that have helped the people, and assist Ibuna in her Ignacio Arroyo Jr. Foundation for the fifth district if she needs his help, Mirasol added.

LP HELP

Mirasol said he is a member of the Nationalist People-s Coalition and UNA, but added that he also has the help of the Liberal Party in his bid for congressman. Mirasol was the first mayor of Negros Occidental in 2010 to openly support the presidential bid of President Benigno Aquino III.

Rep. Benitez, chairman of the LP in Negros Occidental, said Mirasol has been invited to join their party and he has endorsed his name to be part of the roster of LP candidates in Negros Occidental.

However, Mirasol will have to chose between LP and NPC, Benitez added.

As a member of the LP Mirasol can do a lot for the fifth district, the LP doors are open to him, Benitez said.

PARTYLIST OPTION

Benitez said he is also willing to discuss a possible arrangement with Yulo who could possibly run under the 1 DSWD Partylist being planned for Western Visayas.

Asked if Steven Capadocia, head of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade had also been offered to be a nominee of such partylist group, Benitez said, the nominees of such partylist group will be subjected to a selection process, too.

MAYORS’ STAND

Mayor Nicor said he was supporting Mirasol because the governor asked for his help and he could not say no to him. Nicor is a close friend of former Board Member Enrique Montilla who had earlier indicated his interest in running for the fifth congressional seat too.

Montilla told Mayor Aguilar that he is not running for the post in the special election, Nicor said.

Nazareno said he is fully supporting Mirasol and hopes they can convince Yulo to instead run for a third term as board member to ensure unity in the fifth district.

Mayor Malabor said he opted to support Mirasol at the UNA caucus since his brother Renato Malabor may not run for congressman of the fifth district in the special election anymore.

Representatives Alvarez and Marañon II said they will support Mirasol with their prayers, while Rep. Ferrer said that while he was against the holding of a special election, since it will be held he is throwing his full support behind Mirasol.*CPG

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