Alvarez leads early birds
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Nationalist People's Coalition gubernatorial candidate, Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., was the first to file a Certificate of Candidacy at the Negros Occidental Commission on Elections in Bacolod City at 8:20 a.m. yesterday.

Alvarez, who is the son of former Sipalay mayors Genaro Perez Alvarezand Mercedes Montilla Alvarez, and grandson of former Negros Occidental governor and Speaker of the House Gil Montilla, said politics is his destiny and he is committed to serving the people.

Ten other allies of Alvarez also filed their CoCs at the provincial COMELEC office yesterday morning.

Marañon not intimidated,
bares candidates
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who is seeking re-election, last night said he is not intimidated by his opponent’s team as he believes Negrense voters are intelligent and will vote for candidates who have performed well for the good of the province.

He said his province-wide line up is in place and all set to go.

Running for congressmen under his team are Nehemias de la Cruz in the first district, Rafael Leo Cueva – second district and Jeffery Ferrer – fourth district, Marañon said. He withheld the names of his team’s congressional candidates for the third, fifth and sixth districts until they file their CoCs.

Fireworks lit up the sky at the Bacolod City Public Plaza last night to usher in the official start of the 22-day 33rd MassKara festival with the theme “Life is Good in Bacolod”.

Bacolod Mayor Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that they are anticipating bigger crowds for this year’s MassKara festival than those of last year, especially because of the recent honors it achieved.

“I’m happy that we started on a very high note. Even the fireworks were more exciting than the other years’,” the mayor said.