Marañon proclaimed
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The overwhelming lead of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday enabled the Provincial Board of Canvassers to declare him the winner of the gubernatorial race of Negros Occidental over Genaro Alvarez Jr. even without the returns from Victorias City and Hinoba-an town.

A teary-eyed Marañon was proclaimed governor for a second term at the Social Hall of the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City at 5:46 p.m. amid cheers and applause from jubilant supporters, political allies, family and friends.

The governor had a lead of 160,595 votes from 29 towns and cities, that was more than enough to cover for whatever would be the turnout from Victorias City that has 52,074 voters and Hinoba-an that has 25,724 voters, Provincial Elections Supervisor Wil Arceño said.

4 congressmen,
board members , too
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed four congressmen and four board members of Negros Occidental winners yesterday at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

Proclaimed winning congressmen were Liberal Party reelectionists Alfredo Abelardo Benitez – third district and Alejandro Mirasol – fifth district; and Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva – second district and Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer – fourth district of the United Negros Alliance.

Proclaimed provincial board member-winners were Miller Serondo and Salvador Escalante – second district, Jose Benito Alonso – fourth district and Alain Gatuslao – fifth district, all of UNA.

‘No kingmaker in 4th district’
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer yesterday said nobody owns the fourth district of Negros Occidental and there is no lone kingmaker there.

“The people of the fourth district are the kingmakers, and I thank them for their support,” Ferrer said.

In the past, the fourth district was considered the bailiwick of business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco.