The candidate of Negros Occidental's powerful kingmakers won the provincial Liga ng mga Barangay Federation election over the alleged bet of the camp of Gov. Alfredo Maranoñ Jr. in a neck-and-neck fight yesterday.

Mark Cui of San Carlos City, who had the backing of the Love Negros leaders, won in a 16-15 vote over Eduardo Javier of Cadiz City, who is associated with the United Negros Alliance of Marañon.

When he won, Cui thanked business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, and two of the country's richest congressmen - Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) and Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1 st District) for their support.

Benitez is the fourth richest member of the House of Representatives, while Ledesma is fifth.

Cui also thanked Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6 th District), Nationalist People's Coalition provincial chairman Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco, former Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez, Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Abang Lingkod first nominee Stephen Paduano, and the mayors, as well as the barangay captains who voted for him.

Lacson said Love Negros is not a political party, it is just a group, and they only extended moral support to Cui, and “no other things”.

All of the candidates on Cui's ticket also won by one vote over their opponents.

Alexander Palanca of Victorias City won the vice presidency over Annabelle Bermudo of La Carlota City, while Fernando Dolendo of Talisay City beat Lourdes Berunio of Manapla for auditor.

The winning members of the board were Francisco Bilbao of Hinobaan, Virgilio Gamao – Escalante City, Jose Marcelino Garcia – Moises Padilla, Antonio Luis Gonzaga – Murcia, Ricky Rebatado – Salvador Benedicto, Benjamin Jose Sian – Himamaylan, and Soledad Leonor Suatengco – Pulupandan.

The eighth candidate on Cui's ticket, Sergio Piansay of Bago City, was disqualified since he was a member of the board of canvassers.

Rogel Regalia of Kabankalan was believed to have provided the swing vote that gave Cui his victory. Earlier, both Cui and Javier had claimed Regalia as their supporter.

But yesterday, Cui said Regalia voted for him. Asked whom he voted for, Regalia, however, said he wanted to keep his vote a secret.

Lacson, on the other hand, said it was Cui who provided the swing vote yesterday.

Cui said he will not be an obstructionist, he will work with the governor for the good of the barangays.

He will continue the projects of former Liga president George Gitano for the barangays and will meet with the provincial Liga officials to discuss new programs to be implemented, too.

Gitano, who presided over the Liga election, said it is important for their league to serve the barangays well and to be united for the good of the province.

The election yesterday was seen as a battle of the Love Negros and UNA forces, or a repeat of the May polls.

Marañon, however, has refused to admit that Javier was his bet and the latter refused to say that he had UNA support.

In May, Marañon won over the Love Negros bet, Genaro Alvarez, for governor.

The flexing of muscles was seen as a precursor to the 2016 polls in the province.*CPG

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