Re-electionist Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday admitted that he is facing “uphill battle” against the gubernatorial candidate of business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, but described it as “challenge” to him.

Marañon also said he is confident about winning the gubernatorial race, with a wide margin. “We are confident about capturing 60 percent of the (1.2 million) votes, he added.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., who is challenging Marañon, had earlier said he expects to lead with about 300,000 votes against Marañon, citing the support of majority of the mayors in Negros Occidental, among others.

Aside from Cojuangco, Alvarez also got the support of Liberal Party provincial chairman, Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who also sees his victory in the May polls.

“We will see if the political machinery works this coming May 14, Marañon said, apparently referring to results of the election.

“It is the candidate that makes you win, and not the political machinery,” Marañon said, noting that there is a big change in the political arena now. “The bulk of electors are now young people. They are intelligent, have minds and decisions of their own, and even their parents cannot persuade them”, he added.

People will just get your money and they will vote for whom they like, Marañon said, adding that the Philippine political landscape has already changed.

No matter how strong and potent the organization supporting him, if your candidate does not perform and has no track record, he will lose, he added.

While he may lose a small margin in the sixth district, which is the political bailiwick of his opponent, Marañon predicted yesterday that he may win by 150,000 to 200,000 votes against Alvarez, which, he said, will be delivered by the people benefitted by the programs of the provincial government.

Although he admitted having a “political conflict” with Cojuangco, Marañon, said “When we parted ways, he (Cojuangco) told me that our relationship transcends politics.”

There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, only personal interest, he stressed.*GPB

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