Albee names mayors
joining LP in Negros
PNOY ARRIVAL EXPECTED
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday bared the names of nine Lakas CMD mayors in Negros Occidental who will be sworn into the Liberal Party at a convention set at Natures Village Resort in Talisay City Saturday.

Benitez said more than nine of the 32 mayors in Negros Occidental will join LP but he will reveal the names of the rest later.

There was still no confirmation on whether President Benigno Aquino III, LP chairman, would attend the party’s convention in Talisay City Saturday to swear in the new members, Benitez said.

The United Negros Alliance, which is the party of almost all of the elected officials in Negros Occidental, is pushing Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to seek reelection in 2013, Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz said yesterday.

“We are pushing Governor Marañon to run for reelection. He has not said he will run yet, but there does not appear to be anyone else who plans to oppose him,” de la Cruz said.

He said they are also supporting the reelection of Genaro Alvarez for vice governor.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said yesterday that he is willing to sit down and talk peace with priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros.

“We are inviting him to sit down and discuss problems and issues, and not just to get acquainted and see him in person,” Bautista, who commands the 85,000-strong Philippine Army, said.

“I am looking forward to the day where we could have a dialog,” Bautista said, referring to Fernandez, and adding that he has high respect for him, being a former priest.