Nicholas Yulo, Paula Alonso, Pal Guanzon, Jose Benito Alonso, Eugenio Jose Lacson, Jeffrey Ferrer, Javier Miguel Benitez, Andrew Montelibano and Bambi Depasucat (l-r) were proclaimed winners on Tuesday.* Ronnie Baldonado photo
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, vice governor-elect Jose Benito Alonso and the winning representatives and board members of Negros Occidental were proclaimed winners at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday afternoon, May 13.
The winning representatives proclaimed on Tuesday were Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez for the 3rd District, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer – 4th District, Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo III – 5th District, and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez – 6th District.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaiming the winners.*Ronnie Baldonado photos
Other congressional winners who have yet to be proclaimed are former representative Julio Ledesma IV for the 1st District and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III for the 2nd District.
Proclaimed winning board members were Sixto “Pal” Guanzon – 2nd District, Andrew Montelibano and Bambi Depasucat – 3rd District, Nicholas Yulo and Paula Alonso – 4th District, Hadji Trojillo – 5th District and Ralph Alvarez – 6th District.
Other winning board members yet to be proclaimed are Marxlen dela Cruz and Araceli Somosa – 1st District, Atoy Marañon – 2nd District, Rita Gatuslao – 5th District and Jeffrey Tubola – 6th District.
Lacson won as governor with 911,614 votes to defeat former Victorias City mayor Wantan Palanca who garnered 67,694 votes.
“This overwhelming show of support, given to me by our people, is as humbling as it is affirming. To me, it means that my fellow Negrenses have recognized our hard work and felt the sincerity of our service,” Lacson said.
The governor thanked the Negrenses for their unwavering trust and confidence.
“This victory is a testament to our shared hopes and aspirations — not only for a mandate grounded in the trust of the people, but also for a leadership that is dependable, transparent, honorable, and guided by strong moral principles”, Lacson said.
Lacson said he is praying for God’s grace and guidance as he serves his final term as governor.
The winning representatives also all won by wide margins over their opponents.
It was a landslide victory for Benitez with 200,044 votes, accounting for 92 percent of all votes cast for the congressional seat in the Third District, which comprises the cities of Victorias, Silay, and Talisay, and the municipalities of Enrique B. Magalona and Murcia.
Benitez thanked his constituents for their votes and highlighted his commitment to empowering the youth and delivering inclusive development.
“This will be the time when the voice of the youth will be heard, The future is now and we are leading that brighter tomorrow for all the people of the Third District,” he said.
Ferrer bared plans to push for tourism programs, renewable energy and other projects to boost the economic growth of the 4th District.
The fourth district is in good hands under his leadership, he said.
Ferrer said he won as congressman with a margin of 57,000 over his opponent Lea Delfinado.
Yulo, who thanked his constituents for their support, said that service is the best way to get elected to public office.
He said he will focus on agricultural enhancement, especially in the sugar industry, and tourism development during his second term as congressman.
He cited the opening of common corridors between the 5th District and Negros Oriental, and the need to set up permanent relocation sites for residents affected by Kanlaon Volcano.
The winning candidates were proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers chaired by Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria with Provincial Prosector Hermes Ariño as vice chairperson and Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet as member-secretary.*