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Bacolod City, Philippines Saturday, March 17, 2012
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UNA-LP likely – Albee

BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The possibility that the United Negros Alliance and Liberal Party may field a common candidate for the special election in the 5th district of Negros Occidental is not remote.

This was after Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd Distircit) admitted yesterday that one considerations of the Liberal Party, of which he is member, in the selection of their candidate, will also be the decision of the local party, apparently referring to UNA.

“A local party is one that has unified the province and it doesn’t want to disrupt the unity, which UNA had before,” Benitez said. So, he added, they (LP) will respect also the choice of UNA selection.

Speculations are rife that Binalbagan Mayor Alejando Mirasol is among the possible choice of UNA to run for the congressional seat in the 5th district special elections, which was vacated by Rep. Ignacio “Iggy’ Arroyo, who died in London, after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver, on Jan. 26.

Asked if LP will endorse Mirasol, Benitez replied “That is a possibility”, saying that in the last (2010) elections, we saw that he was really for President Aquino.

“I would’nt be surprised if the Liberal Party will be leaning towards him,” he added.

Board Member Melvin Ibañez, who also hinted his intention to join the congressional race, had earlier said he will submit himself to the selection process of UNA.

Benitez said he had met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. Thursday night, who told him that they want a formal announcement of the special election before convening UNA to decide on who will be their candidate.

One of the criteria for the selections of their candidate will be “those who loved most the 5th district”, through a survey among board members, mayors and even by the councilors, he added.

Asked if UNA will choose Ibañez, Benitez, this time, said “ As I have said, one of the big considerations will be who UNA will choice. Whether the Liberal Party will field one or not, that is our prerogrative.”

Asked again if the special election in the 5th district will be a battle between Arroyo and Aquino, he said, we have to know who are the candidates. This was after Maria Lourdes Arroyo, sister of Iggy, yesterday registered as a voter of the 5th district.

We will cross the bridge when we get there, he said.

Benitez stressed the importance of the process of consultations. “The worse thing that a Liberal Party could do is to choice a candidate that is not acceptable”, he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the endorsement of UNA is a big factor for the selection of a candidate in the 5th district special elections.*GPB

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