Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante admitted on Thursday, April 13, that his name along with those of several other politicians are being floated to run for vice governor in 2025 but pointed out that nothing is definite.
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, United Negros Alliance (UNegA) president, is on his second term but could run for representative of the 4th District in 2025.
His wife Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer is currently on her third and last term as congresswoman of the 4th District.
Escalante said the best scenario would still be for the vice governor to go for a third term and run for governor after Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson finishes his last term.
Lacson, who who is a member of Love Negros, said the choice of the candidate for vice governor of their coalition is expected to come from UNegA.
Escalante, UNegA secretary general, said a lot of names are being floated to run for vice governor including those of Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) and Sagay Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva.
Meanwhile, Escalante said the possibility of the governor’s joining UNegA was raised in an informal meeting during the Sagay City fiesta but was not taken seriously.
The coalition between Love Negros and UNegA is very strong so there is no need for the governor to transfer, he said.
Escalante said Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez did not say that he is running for governor or vice governor in 2025 when he asked him during the recent Dinagsa Festival in Cadiz.
“Mayor Javi said he is still learning as mayor,” Escalante added.*