Liberal Party presidential aspirant Mar Roxas has tapped former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela to head a private-sector driven parallel campaign for him in Negros Occidental.

Coscolluela yesterday said the parallel campaign will be composed of diverse groups of volunteers who have already signified their intention to help.

Their campaign group will be working separately from that of the Liberal Party and other political groups, Coscolluela said.

It is not known if the move was made amid the uncertainty on whom Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District), LP Neg. Occ. chairman, will support for president in 2016.

Benitez has been noticeably absent at gatherings of Roxas supporters, the latest of which was at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City Friday.

The congressman has yet to say whom he will support, but there have been rumors that he may go for Senator Grace Poe, although she has yet to declare that she is running for president.

Benitez could not be reached for comment yesterday.

There has also been talk that Coscolluela could run for congressman of the third district against Benitez.

But Coscolluela said yesterday that, as of now, he has no intention of running for public office in 2016, he will focus his efforts on helping Roxas' campaign in Negros Occidental but is not closing his doors to situations that may crop up.

He does not want to be called a liar if he has a change of plans, he said.

In 2010, Coscolluela said he would not run for office, and was convinced to change his mind and ran for governor.

Meanwhile, he reiterated that work is underway to make the Negros Island Region operational, with the setting up of regional offices and the appointment of regional directors targeted for October 1.

He expects the first NIR Regional Development Council meeting in January, Coscolluela said.*CPG

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