FOR CONGRESS
Four-cornered fight
looms in 3 rd district
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

A member of a wealthy clan in Negros Occidental is set to challenge Albee Bantug-Benitez, who is perceived to be a moneyed candidate, in the third district congressional race.

Businessman Ted Victor Lizares-Jimenez said “winnability should not be equated with money”.

“Money cannot guarantee victory,” Jimenez who is a grandson of Don Antonio Alunan Lizares, a philanthropist, said.

Although he is a newcomer in the political arena, Jimenez said he is veteran in business and also capable of what his opponents may deliver for the good of the people of the third district.

Brazil 's Larissa Ramos was declared Miss Earth, while the Philippines ' bet Bacoleña Sandra Seifert won the Miss Air 1 st runner-up title, in Boracay last night.

Ramos, a 20-year-old biology student, bested 81 other contenders from different countries. She is the second Brazilian to win the crown after Priscilla Meirelles in 2004.

Venezuela 's Jessica Barboza, 22, was second runner-up (Miss Water), while Spain 's Alejandra Echevarria, 20, was third runner-up (Miss Fire).

During the final round of the competition last night, the eight semi-finalists also included Colombia 's Alejandra Castillo Múnera, Martinique's Pascale Nelide , Poland 's Izabela Wilczek and Rujinan Phanseethum of Thailand .

Ten candidates had filed their Certificates of Candidacy in Negros Occidental as of yesterday, Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suares said.

At the Provincial COMELEC office in Bacolod City , Kabankalan Councilor Ted Romulo del Rio yesterday filed his COC for board member of the sixth congressional district, Suares said.

In Cauayan, Jason Jaropillo Villaflor filed his COC for mayor, while Francisco Marquino filed his COC for vice mayor of La Carlota City.