United Negros Alliance members passed a resolution in support of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who are seeking reelection in 2022, at their general assembly at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on Saturday, December 4.
Lacson, who is a Love Negros member in his speech at the UNegA gathering, said although they wanted the alliance formed at the provincial level to trickle down to all the local government units there were certain areas where it did not happen.
“So I wish all these areas the best, rest assured that whoever comes out Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and Gov. Lacson will support your programs. That is an assurance. We have started it already, and we intend to continue that,” Lacson said.
There were 173 of 186 UNegA members who took their oaths as members of the party at the general assembly, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, UNegA secretary general, said.
House Minority Floor Leader, Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod partylist), also said he along with UNegA and Love Negros are supporting the re-election bid of La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan.
Mangilimutan is being challenged for the mayorship by La Castellana Vice Mayor Manuel Vera, who has been an ally of Paduano.
However, Paduano said they are standing by an agreement made earlier that Mangilimutan would run unopposed for mayor and Vera for vice mayor of La Castellana.
HIMAMAYLAN
Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson had also sought support for his reelection bid in a meeting with Ferrer, former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and himself, Paduano said.
As far as he understands it is Tongson whom they are supporting, Paduano added.
Board Member Agustin Ernesto “Tinto” Bascon did not say that he was running for mayor, they thought he was running for board member or congressman, he said.*