A total of 210 from the Negros Island Region (NIR), including 14 mayors, took their oaths as members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at rites held at L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Monday, August 26 .
Nine mayors from Negros Occidental, three from Negros Oriental and two from Siquijor, and other local government officials took their oaths before South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., PFP president.
Negros Occidental Board Member Andrew Montelibano and seven vice mayors also joined the PFP.
The nine Negros Occidental mayors who are now PFP members are Javier Miguel Benitez of Victorias City, Marvin Malacon of EB Magalona, Gerry Rojas of Murcia, Daph Reliquias of Hinoba-an, Ray Ruiz of Candoni, Alejandro Mirasol of Binalbagan, Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan, Benjie Miranda of Kabankalan City, and Enrique Miravalles of Valladolid.
Also seen at the affair were mayors Rhummyla Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Gina Lizares of Sipalay City and John Paul Alvarez of Ilog but they were not on the PFP list of those who took their oaths.
Tamayo said PFP is now the super majority party with more than half of the governors of the country as their members.
In the NIR Siquijor Gov. Jake Villa and Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” L. Sagarbarria are PFP members, while Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson remains with the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Tamayo said.
NPC had an alliance with PFP, he pointed out.
“The result of the oath-taking was very good, it showed the support of the local officials… It is true that right now, the super majority of the local officials in Negros Island Region has joined the PFP,” Tamayo said at a press conference.
More Negros Occidental officials have expressed interest in joining the PFP, he also said.
In areas where opposing candidates for local posts are all PFP members such as in Silay and EB Magalona , Tamayo said their steering committee will resolve the matter.
Former Silay Mayor Mark Golez and Councilor Ryan Gamboa and their Team Asenso Team members took their oaths as PFP members on Monday.
Golez is running for mayor of Silay against incumbent Joedith Gallego who is also a PFP member.Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, TESDA director general, who is a PFP member said he is supporting the mayoral bids of Golez in Silay and Matthew Malacon in EB Magalona.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who was not present, has not indicated if he is joining the PFP.
Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Negros Association of Chief Executives president, said there are more Negros Occidental officials who have expressed interest in joining the PFP.
“It is with deep pride and honor that I join the PFP. This party is more than just a political organization, it is a movement dedicated to progress, empowerment and transformation of our nation,” he said.
Gov. Lacson, who spoke at the PFP affair, said “It is my honor to express my support for the party guided by the vision and leadership of our President. Our collective support for the PFP is also a commitment to Bagong Pilipinas, the President’s vision of inclusive governance and leadership”.
Lacson said he was present at the PFP affair because of its coalition with NPC.
Negros Occidental Board Member Anthony Dennis Occeño is the Negros Occidental PFP provincial chairman.*