Top officials on Negros Occidental at a meeting with business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco in Manila yesterday failed to reach a consensus on a common candidate for governor of the province in 2013, and if they fail on a second try expected next week, it looks like a political battle will break loose provincewide.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. – both expected contenders for the top post of the province - told the DAILY STAR no agreement was reached and a second meeting in Manila is expected in the first week of September.

Marañon said he informed the group that, because of the support of 19 out of 31 mayors, and three out of six congressmen for him, he is committed to seek reelection in 2013.

Alvarez had earlier said he is the choice of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which Cojuangco founded, for governor of Negros Occidental.

A source at the meeting said Cojuangco told those present that he promised his support for Alvarez because Marañon had earlier said he was not seeking reelection, and did not tell him he had changed his mind. The governor asked the ambassador to declare Negros a free zone, the source said.

The decision on whom the group will field for governor was left hanging when the meeting ended, Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco, NPC provincial chairman, said.

The congressmen trying to avert a provincewide battle for political posts if Marañon and Alvarez decide to run against each other, yesterday asked that a second meeting be held, Zayco said.

If Alvarez and Marañon decide to run against each other for governor, the source said it is to be expected that that they will field their own bets for congress and for provincial, city and town posts, too.

Marañon said he has the support of his son, Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District), Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) and Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (Neg. Occ., 5th District).

Rumors that the top officials of the province will ask Ferrer to run for governor in 2013 if he and Alvarez fail to reach a consensus are not true, Marañon said.

Alvarez has the support of Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District) and his daughter Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. occ., 6th District), while Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) reportedly told the group he will support the bet of the boss (Cojuangco).

Benitez, when asked about the meeting would only say “secret”.

The united front of Negros Occidental officials for the last four elections has allowed many of them to run unopposed or to win over weaker opponents.

A battle for the governorship between Marañon and Alvarez is expected to end their near monopoly of most of the elective positions of the province.

Political observers have said this would be a welcome development to provide Negrenses with more choices in 2013, instead of having to just accept the anointed ones.*CPG

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