2013 budget denial to
hurt Negros: guv
IT'S LACK OF TRUST, VG SAYS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

“If they hate my guts, it should not be at the expense of the whole province.”

This was the reaction of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday to the turning down by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of his proposed P2.02 billion Negros Occidental provincial government budget for 2013.

Board members associated with Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. turned down the 2013 budget by a vote of 9-5 on Wednesday.

Alvarez, who is challenging Marañon for the governorship in 2013, said the disapproval by the board members of the proposed budget boils down to lack of trust in funding allocations sought by the governor's camp.

Albee 100% for Alvarez
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) yesterday said he remains 100 percent behind the gubernatorial bid of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr.

Benitez issued the clarification, during his 46 th birthday celebration at the Victorias City Coliseum yesterday, amid rumors that he also appeared to be inclined to support the re-election bid of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., to whom he, in fact, had lent his helicopter last week to fly to Candoni.

Benitez said the use of the helicopter does not connote anything politically. He said the helicopter is not his, he just rents it from another company.

The Liberal Party has an alliance with the Nationalist People's Coalition and will support its candidate for Congressman in Bacolod City, who is incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The clarification was made yesterday by LP Negros Occidental chairman, Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ. 3 rd District) at the Victorias City Coliseum where his birthday was being celebrated.

The Liberal Party is not fielding a candidate for congressman in Bacolod so there is only the NPC candidate, and that is Leonardia so, definitely, the LP will support him, Benitez said.