Will La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer run for vice governor in tandem with Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. in 2013 instead?

Mayors of Negros Occidental last week endorsed Ferrer as a common candidate for governor of the United Negros Alliance to prevent a showdown for the post between Marañon and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., EB Magalona Mayor David Lacson, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives, said.

Alvarez, however, has said he is determined to run for governor with former San Carlos Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson as his running mate.

Marañon yesterday said the proposal for a common candidate for governor did not push through, so he is still running for governor.

He also said he did not want to comment about the matter anymore.

“Less talk, less mistake…let’s talk about progress, development and future programs for Negros Occidental,” the governor said.

Marañon and Ferrer were seen together yesterday at a lunch hosted by Mayor Eric Saratan at the Talisay City Hall to mark the city’s Minulu-an Festival.

Also at the lunch were mayors Jose Ma. Alonso of Pontevedra and Mario Magno of San Enrique, with Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko.

Ferrer said a lot can still happen from now until the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

She said she thanks her fellow mayors for endorsing her to be the common candidate for governor, but that will all depend on what the elders of UNA have to say

It will depend on Marañon, Alvarez and business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, she said.

The proposal has to be acceptable to all, especially the party elders, Ferrer said.

If both Maranon and Alvarez still decide to run, there will be no need for a common candidate, she added.

Ferrer said she prefers to seek re-election as mayor of la Carlota City but she does not know what her destiny will be, and she leaves it up to God’s will, she added.

She did not say whether she would agree to run as vice governor of Marañon if he asked her to do so.

Cadiz Mayor Patrick Escalante said the choice of a common candidate will depend on the top leadership of their party.

He is a supporter of Marañon and whether their party splits up or not, there will always be an opposition candidate for mayor in Cadiz, Escalante said.

A lot of mayors support both Marañon and Alvarez but who wins will depend on the people because they are the ones who vote, he added.

Saratan, when asked who he will support for governor, said Marañon is always in Talisay, they are close, isn’t it obvious?*CPG

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