Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition in Negros Occidental, yesterday said he was not informed that four mayors from the province and a politician from Toboso were taking their oaths as NPC members Wednesday in Manila.
It was done at the NPC national level, he said.
There has been talk that NPC and United Negros Alliance founder Eduardo Cojuangco favors the fielding of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez as governor of Negros Occidental over Marañon in 2013.
Marañon, who is the UNA Negros chairman, has announced his intent to run for reelection in 2013 and 18 mayors had earlier expressed their support for him.
Marañon and Alvarez have insisted that they remain friends and will wait for decision from UNA on whom the party will field for governor.
Mayors Isidro Zayco of Kabankalan City, Ma. Teresa Bilbao of Hinobaan, Augustin Ernesto Bascon of Himamaylan City and Melecio Yap. Jr. of Escalante City; and politician Albino de la Cruz of Toboso, took their oaths as NPC members at the party club house in Quezon City Wednesday.
All four mayors were formerly with the Lakas CMD.
They were sworn in by NPC president Frisco San Juan in the presence of NPC chairman Faustino Dy Jr., Rep. Henry Cojuangco, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, and Alvarez.
Zayco, who was chairman of the Lakas CMD in Negros, said he was invited to join and he accepted.
La Carlota Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer is the lone Lakas CMD mayor remaining in Negros Occidental, he said.
Yap said he was invited to join the NPC by Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ, 1st District) and since they have no more Lakas leader in Negros (referring to Zayco) he accepted the invitation.
Bascon said he was invited by Ambassador Cojuangco to join the NPC and he accepted, adding that Vice Governor Alvarez was present at their oathtaking.*CPG back
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