Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez was elected president of the Association of Chief Executives (ACE) of Negros Occidental at Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City on Thursday, July 7.
Benitez, who replaces former Victorias mayor Francis Palanca as Negros ACE president, said he is honored to be elected to the post.
Elected Negros ACE vice president is Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo, secretary general – Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, treasurer – San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara, auditor – Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, and public information officer – Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen de la Cruz, Benitez said.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) will meet in August to come up with a decision on the Philippine Councilors League president of the province.
The PCL elections nationwide are set in September, he said.
Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa of Love Negros is the current PCL Negros Occidental president but La Carlota Councilor Julius Martin Asistio is also interested in the post, Lacson said.
Asistio is the stepson of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, UNegA president.
Lacson, a Love Negros leader, said Ferrer has confirmed that Asistio is interested in the post.
“We will always be guided by the principles of a coalition. That is something that we are committed to keep,” Lacson said.
They will reach a decision on a “consensus basis”, he said.
The status quo remains for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Liga ng mga Barangay representatives on the provincial board since the SK and barangay elections have yet to held in December, Lacson said.*