Mayors and political leaders from various parts of Negros Occidental joined Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., his runningmate Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4 th District) and the rest of their team in filing their Certificates of Candidacy at the provincial Commission on Elections office in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon.

Marañon and Ferrer, in a joint statement, said their slate can aptly be called the “United Negros First “ team as it is composed of the United Negros Alliance (Unega), Liberal Party, National Unity Party and Nationalist People's Coalition leaders.

“We strongly believe that a united front of leaders, coming together and putting aside the political divide, is the key to catapulting our beloved Negros Occidental to greater heights,” they said.

Marañon (Unega) who, as of yesterday, was unopposed for the governorship, said his team will continue to work at making Negros Occidental an investment capital that will open more employment opportunities for thousands of Negrenses.

Ferrer (NUP/Unega) who is running for the vice governorship against incumbent Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (NPC/Love Negros) vowed to keep the campaign friendly.

“This is going to be a friendly race…God bless us both,” Ferrer said, pointing out that Lacson is his friend.

“My opponent has been the incumbent vice governor for three years, I will do all I can to win,” he added.

Marañon said their campaign will focus on their platform of government.

Ferrer said he comes from the south of Negros Occidental and Marañon from the north so they both will be able to attend to the needs of the entire province.

The “United Negros First” candidates for congress who filed their CoCs yesterday were Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (NUP/Unega)) - 2nd District, La Carlota Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer (NUP/Unega) - 4th District, and Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (LP) - 5th District.

  The board member candidates who filed their CoCs were Board Member Rolando Ponsica for the 1st district, Board Member Salvador Escalante and Cadiz Vice Mayor Samson Mirhan - 2nd district, EB Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson – 3 rd District, Pontevedra Mayor Jomar Alonso - 4th District, and Board Member Alain Gatuslao and Renato Malabor Jr. - 5th District  

Board Member Victor Javellana, who is part of the Unega team, filed his CoC for board member of the 4th district on Wednesday.

Former Talisay Councilor Rafael Ignacio Coscolluela, son of former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, is also running for board member of the 3rd district under the governor's team. Comelec Provincial Supervisor Jessie Suarez, however, said his documents were incomplete and he will instead file his CoC today.

Marañon and Ferrer in their joint statement said they will work harder to concretize the “United Negros First” partnership by preserving the gains of the 11-point Negros First Development Agenda and expanding economic programs geared towards attracting major investments in the fields of , among others, renewable energy, tourism, the IT-BPO industry, shipbuilding, infrastructure related programs and agriculture sector modernization.

Consequently, these and many other endeavors, will open more employment opportunities for thousands of Negrenses, they said.

“This is not lip service. With all humility, we are, in fact, already beginning to reap the fruits of hard work,” they said.

With the “United Negros First” ticket, they said we will be assured of a more dynamic economic landscape in the next three years and beyond.

They called for a celebration with the coming together of Negrense leaders belonging to different political persuasions and for the propagation of the message of unity for greater cohesion and understanding among Negrenses.

They also said that after yesterday's filing of CoCs, they will return to their usual daily grind because there is still so much work to do.

“Help us ensure smooth-sailing delivery of services to our people. Let us set aside politics for now”, they said, pointing out that the campaign period for national positions kicks off in February and in late March next year for local candidates.

Meanwhile, Mirasol who is being challenged by former Vice Governor Emilio Yulo for congressman of the fifth district said he will just work hard to win.

Mayor Ferrer said that if she wins the fourth congressional seat, she will continue the projects of her husband involving infrastructure and scholarships, and push her advocacy for women and children.

The mayor was accompanied by her mother, Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino, and Marañon, by his wife, Marilyn.

Angel Rodriguez (NPC), who is running for board member of the 4 th District, was the last candidate to file his CoC at the provincial Comelec office yesterday.*CPG

back to top