Both Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr. yesterday said they are determined to run for governor of Negros Occidental in 2013.

They said they were not informed of the outcome of a mayors’ meeting last week where La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer was endorsed as a common candidate for governor , in an attempt to prevent a split in the United Negros Alliance.

Marañon said he was not aware of the mayors’ proposal, and is still determined to seek reelection in 2013.

He has the support of the majority of the mayors in Negros Occidental, Marañon said.

Alvarez also said he was not informed about the proposal, but anyone is welcome to run for the governorship.

But, as far as he is concerned, he is running for governor, Alvarez said.

Alvarez had announced earlier that he is the Nationalist People’s Coalition choice to run for Negros Occidental governor in 2013.

He also reportedly has the support of business tycoon, Eduardo Cojuangco, NPC and UNA founder.

EB Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, yesterday said the congressmen who attended Thursday’s meeting are expected to relay the mayors’ proposal for a common candidate to Cojuangco, Marañon and Alvarez.

The congressmen present were Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) and Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (Neg. Occ., 5th District).

If their proposal is unacceptable, there is nothing more they can do, they did their best to try to prevent a split in the UNA, Lacson said.

Marañon and Alvarez have both said they are fielding full slates from congressmen, down to councilors in 2013.

Former Gov. Isidro Zayco said he attended the meeting of the mayors and they were urging him to run for governor as a common candidate, but he told them he is running for re-election as Kabankalan City mayor.

Rep. Mirasol’s name was also suggested as a common candidate, with that of Mayor Ferrer, who accepted, he said.

Zayco said he had no problem with a common candidate but that would all depend on whether it is acceptable to Cojuangco, Marañon and Alvarez.*CPG

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