The UNA rift is open

While some party members kept hammering on the imperative need to maintain the integrity of the United Negros Alliance, Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday acknowledged that the intra-coalition rift is now an open secret.

In short, the UNA is not there anymore. Instead, you have the Nationalist People's Coalition and the UNA. Each group will field a full slate form congressmen, governor, vice governor, and mayors. Even down to councilors.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd district), still held hopes that another meeting this week may prevent a break-up of the political coalition.

That, however, may be a hopeless aspiration when Marañon reportedly commented that “Everybody is hopeful, but somebody is hopeless,” when asked about the prospects of the proposed meeting this week.

But the break-up of the once formidable coalition is not actually a prelude for the entry into the field of any group of opposition leaders. So far, none of the potentials, such as Governor Rafael (Lito) Coscolluela had hinted that he is going to run against the UNA or NPC ticket.

So even with the intramurals among the UNA and NPC political leaders, there is no threat that any other party would enter via the backdoor to derail their combined hold of the province.

But then, who knows what is going to happen?

Alvarez, on the other hand, declared that if UNA would field a full slate, there is no need for a second meeting.

The purpose of the second meeting, he added, is to see if their group can come up with a common candidate for governor.

He, himself, is reportedly fielding a full slate of bets for the province under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Despite the fact that the coming fight will be among “brothers”, there is excitement generated by the torrid campaign among the aspirants.

The most widely watched possibility is that former Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Kako) will try to run against Benitez who is the LP provincial chairman.

Knowing Kako's brand of campaigning, most believe that he will give Albee a run for his money.

Now, the question – will Kako run with Marañon? That's a thing to watch out for.

***

Also just as interesting is the reported endorsement by the PDP-Laban of former Rep. Monico Puentevella as mayoralty candidate for Bacolod.

Bong Dilag, PDP Laban chairman, said the party believes in Newks leadership and his vision.

Dilag, incidentally, was a former bet for councilor of Bacolod and was former regional director of the DILG under the then DILG Secretary Aquilino Pimentel.

Puentevella, however, has yet to name his vice mayoralty bet.

The two most possible candidates are Councilor Archie Baribar and businessman Valdimir Gonzales.

The latter stressed that he has not yet been named as such by Newks.

Baribar, however, enjoys the prestige of a consistent member of the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Gonzales, however, is a businessman who had developed an uncanny sense of socially–oriented business investments. He also fills up the needs of the business community of Bacolod for somebody who could understand and empathize what they want, to stimulate local development.

Baribar, on the other hand, had gained a reputation as a consistent advocate of human rights. And he has helped thousands of poor Bacolodnons with their lawsuits. And he remains popular among the masses.

Either of the two is qualified to run as vice mayor of Puentevella. We hope that Newks does not temporize on the selection to allow his running-mate time to campaign.

Of course, Jude Thaddeus Sayson has not yet picked either his running mate, although Al Victor Espino seems determined to run for the position come hell or high water.*

back to top