Gov. Emilio Macias II, provincial chairman of the Nationalist People's Coalition, Wednesday disclosed the names of his mayoralty bets for the third congressional district of Negros Oriental, amid certain arrangements made with other political parties and their leaders in the province.

The governor also corrected earlier media reports that he was not fielding local candidates in all the towns and cities in the province, saying that while he is leaving the first and second districts to the incumbent congressional representatives to pick their choices, he will be putting up a slate in the third district.

He will be endorsing whoever gets named in the first and second districts for various elective positions,Macias said.

Macias' line up for mayors in the third district are Ricky Gonzalez for Valencia; Lenin Alviola for Bacong (a common candidate with the Lakas-KAMPI); Jeffrey Araula's choice for mayor in Dauin; Kit Mark Adanza, Zamboanguita; Albert Ator, Siaton; Leon Lopez, Sta. Catalina; Clyde “Bonbon” Lim for Bayawan City; and, the choice of last-term Mayor Beda Cañamaque for Basay.

As provincial NPC chairman, the governor said he has the authority to nominate candidates for his political party except for the second district where incumbent Rep. George Arnaiz (also NPC) gets to choose his line-up.

Macias reiterated that he is supporting incumbent Rep. Josy Limkaichong (Lakas-KAMPI, 1st District) and Rep. Henry Pryde Teves (Lakas-KAMPI, 3rd District) for their re-election bids.

He further said that in the first district, he will adopt Limkaichong's candidates for the lower posts, although it will not be the same arrangement in the third district as Rep. Teves will also be fielding his own slate.

Meanwhile, Macias said that with Senator Francisco “Chiz” Escudero's decision not to seek the presidency in next year's polls, the NPC will still have to decide as a party who to endorse as their presidential bet.

Macias said this could happen even after the December deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy set by the Commission on Elections.

While nominations have been made at the provincial and local levels, there is always the possibility the scenario could change in the coming weeks as nothing is definite, Macias stressed.

The governor has chosen for his running mate Bayawan City Mayor German Saraña, who confirmed he will be seeking the vice governorship as an independent, but has accepted the invitation of the governor to be a guest candidate.*JFP

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