“They are having fun in Kabankalan, I am just an instrument of their fun.”
That was the reaction of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, September 5, when asked if a hand raising photo posted on Facebook was his endorsement of former governor Isidro “Elpidio” Zayco’s bid to run for mayor of Kabankalan City in 2025.
Zayco on Wednesday posted a photo of him holding up the hand of Lacson on his Facebook page with the caption “Kami man gali gihapon”.
Lacson and Zayco are both members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Love Negros.
The governor, when asked if he would support Zayco for mayor, said “let them file their certificates of candidacy first then we will cross the bridge.”
Zayco on Thursday refused to confirm if he is running for mayor of Kabankalan. He told reporters to call him in October when certificates of candidacy have been filed.
On the raising of hands, Zayco said he and Lacson have been long time friends and colleagues in politics.
Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda, who is seeking reelection, said he is a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas that has an alliance with NPC so they should be united.
Meanwhile, Lacson said he talked to Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and they agreed on a Love Negros meeting next week where they are expected to discuss their group’s plans for the 2025 polls.*