Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, April 29, that he has not met with former Victorias mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca “and for now I see no reason to be meeting with him.”
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Provincial Council President Jesus Hinlo earlier announced that Palanca maybe the PDP Negros Occidental gubernatorial bet in the 2025 polls.
The announcement prompted the Victorias City vice mayor and nine councilors to resign from the PDP last week.
Lacson, who has announced that he is seeking reelection, said he has already visited Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez and “it was a very positive meeting. It was very reassuring”.
The governor, however, said he cannot talk about the details.
The Victorias Sangguniang members’ resigning from the PDP in effect means they are supporting the incumbent administration, Lacson said.
The son of Palanca, Victorias Councilor Francis Frederick “Derek” Palanca also visited him on Monday to explain their resignation from PDP and that they are supporting the present administration, Lacson said. Derek Palanca, who was among the Victorias councilors who resigned from the PDP, assured of his support, Lacson said.
Lacson said he hopes this does not create a family rift. “I told him (Derek) it is even more important that there will be peace in their family”, he added.
Lacson noted that Wantan Palanca has not confirmed that he is running for governor yet.*