The burden of approving the proposed merger between the United Negros Alliance and Love-Negros now lies with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, who is being eyed as the vice gubernatorial candidate of Maranon in the 2016 elections, said yesterday that, whether the proposed merger of the two local political parties will be approved or not will be announced at the proper time by the governor.

Ferrer, who is now on his last term as congressman of the 4th district of Negros Occidental, said the proposed merger is difficult, as they have their own political group, and will field candidates in next year’s elections.

He said the merger, if there is one, should be from the bottom to the top, and “not just on the top (level).”

Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is also being pushed to run for congressman in the 1st district of Negros Occidental, said the merger of UNA and Love Negros for 2016 depends on the decision of Marañon.

Lacson said on Wednesday that the local issues be a determining factor on whether there should be a merger at the provincial level.

“Anything is possible, but I do understand that there are now positionings going on in the LGUs (local government units)”, he added.

Ferrer, who attended the Sinigayan Festival in Sagay City, said that it will be Marañon who will announce if he should run for vice governor, as he has another option, that is, to run for mayor in the 4th district, in an LGU he did not identify.

Rep. Alfredo Benitez, the Liberal Party provincial chairman and a member of Love-Negros, said earlier that in case a merger pushes through, his group expects Vice Gov. Lacson to be their candidate for the position.

In previous months, Marañon, who chairs the UNA, declared his support to Vice Gov. Lacson if he opts to run for congressman in the 1st district. But Lacson said it will be decided by their party in the district.

Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Maranon III, asked if he will replace his father at the Capitol in the coming years, replied in jest “My lips are sealed”.

But the younger Marañon was quick to add, “That idea is too far-fetched”.

Also asked for his political plans next year, Marañon III also said “We will see by October this year. We will cross the bridge when we get there”.*GPB

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