After consulting his family and talking with the leaders of the United Negros Alliance, 5th District Board Member Melvin Ibañez said he has decided to give way to Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol for the 5th district congressional race in the June 2 special elections.

“I could not think of any reason but to sacrifice my personal interest for the greater good of the 5th district,” Ibañez said, adding that Mirasol has the endorsement of the Liberal Party, thus, a greater access for projects from Malacañang.

He said he will not also seek the post in next year’s midterm elections, but instead, run for his last term as board member. He will consider the option of running for a higher position or go back to the private sector in 2016, he added.

As a medical practitioner as well, Ibañez said he also has to consider his patients since they need him, too.

“I thought it over and I have to weigh things between my commitment to my party and to my patients and personal business,” he said.

Mirasol and Ibañez had been vying for endorsement as the official candidate of the United Negros Alliance for the 5th district congressional seat.

He said his announcement will prevent misinterpretations since he will not be able to attend the UNA meeting on March 31 as it coincides with a medical convention in Manila.

The UNA is scheduled to make a formal announcement of its candidate during the meeting.

Also eyeing the position is Mirasol’s nephew, Board Member Emilio Yulo III and former Board Member Enrique Montilla.

As a partyman, Ibañez said he will support Mirasol as UNA’s candidate, although it will be difficult for him to disregard his friendship with Montilla. Should Montilla decide to run, he said he will need some time to talk to him and his supporters in the 5th district.

He also said nobody can discount Yulo’s strength as a candidate as, like him, they were able to get the mandate of the people in the whole district and not just in particular towns and cities.

The 5th district congressional seat was declared vacant by the House of Representatives, after the death of Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo in London on Jan. 26.

Maria Lourdes Lesaca-Arroyo, elder sister of Iggy, had earlier announced that she will no longer join the 5th district congressional race.

Businesswoman Grace Ibuna, long time partner of Iggy, also hinted of her support for Mirasol.*NAB/GPB

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