Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said the United Negros Alliance, whose battle cry is “Braveheart”, is fielding an unbeatable team for the 2013 elections in Negros Occidental.

In the movie “Braveheart,” Mel Gibson played the role of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the battle for Scottish independence against King Edward I of England, who shouted “Freedom”, even as his head was about to be cut off, Marañon said.

However, the governor denied that “freedom” referred to toppling the hold of political kingmaker Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, and Rep. Alfredo Benitez, the wealthy backers of Nationalist People’s Coalition gubernatorial bet Genaro Alvarez Jr., over Negros politics.

He said Cojuangco remains his friend, noting that the ambassador had also said “My friendship with Freddie is beyond politics.”

Marañon also said his team was not intimidated by the wealth behind their opponents because the people of Negros Occidental have awakened and are bright.

He said Negrense voters can no longer be influenced by money, they will vote for candidates who have performed, have a platform of government, and vision for the province, and are dedicated to uplifting the lives of Negrenses and bringing cheaper food to their tables.

Voters will also vote for candidates who have the interest of the people at heart over their personal vested interests, he added.

He noted that, under his leadership, the province has been rated by the Department of Agriculture as the number one local government performer nationwide, and has become a Department of Interior and Local Government hall of famer for excellence in public service.

Negros Occidental will also become a rice exporter by next year, he also said.

Marañon also said that while some candidates only talk about preserving the environment, he has long been implementing programs to ensure environmental protection, long before battling climate change became the fad.

As mayor of Sagay City, he received an award as the most outstanding mayor of the Philippines for marine conservation and has been a member of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement, one of the most prestigious NGOs in the world recognized by the United Nations for its fight to preserve the environment, he said.

“Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words,” he said.

On the statement of Alvarez that he will not make any loans for the province should he become governor, Marañon said loans are a management tool even of the wealthiest nations to implement projects to benefit not just the people now but future generations as well.

Marañon said that, in his 42 years in public service, he has had no case before the Ombudsman, or for harming anyone.*CPG

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