Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) said yesterday that he is still hoping that a second meeting of the top leaders of Negros Occidental will prevent a break-up of the United Negros Alliance.

Benitez said he is waiting for the return of Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2 nd District) and Rep. Jeffery Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4 th District) from Singapore, so a second meeting can be set this week.

The two solons had gone to Singapore with some mayors of Negros Occidental, he said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., both members of the UNA, have announced that they are running for governor of Negros Occidental in 2013.

A meeting attended by business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, a UNA founder, the six congressmen of Negros Occidental, Marañon, Alvarez and Kabankalan Mayor and former governor Isidro Zayco last week failed to reach a consensus on which of the two should run for the top post of the province.

A second meeting is being called to try to resolve the matter, which will be in the best interest of all, Benitez said.

“I am still hoping a solution can be reached to keep the party intact. We are still going through the process of finding a decision that is acceptable to all,” he added.

Zayco said he suggested that the second meeting be held not later than September 7 because the filing of certificates of candidacy will be in October already.

He said they are trying to exhaust all efforts to resolve the problem for the good of the members of UNA.

If Marañon and Alvarez both run for governor, it is expected that candidates will also be fielded against the congressmen and mayors of the province by both camps.*CPG

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