Love Negros officially endorsed the reelection bid of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Board Member Jose Benito Alonso as his running mate in the 2025 polls at its general assembly in Bacolod City on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Lacson also said Love Negros is supporting Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, United Negros Alliance (UNegA) president, who is running for representative of the 4th District of Negros Occidental.
The Love Negros leaders also announced their support for former governor Isidro Zayco who is running for mayor of Kabankalan, former mayor Mark Golez who is making a comeback in Silay City and Vice Mayor Roel Yogore who is running for mayor of Valladolid.
The rest of the incumbent Love Negros mayors are seeking reelection.
Benitez said the presence of Ferrer at their general assembly signifies that the alliance between Love Negros and UNegA is still very, very strong.
No matter what happens at the national scene they will always remain united, Benitez said.
Ferrer said they want to show the whole country that the political leaders in Negros Occidental are united.
UNegA earlier also endorsed the Lacson-Alonso tandem.
Lacson said he wishes the Love Negros members all the best in the 2025 midterm elections
He said the candidates should remember that whatever they promise during the campaign is something they will have to deliver if they win.
There were about 15 Love Negros mayors present at the general assembly, the governor said.
Present were Love Negros mayors Benitez of Bacolod, Renato Gustilo – San Carlos, Melecio Yap Jr. – Escalante City, Gina Lizares – Sipalay City, Daph Reliquias – Hinoba-an, Irene Montilla –Isabela, Jose Nadie Arceo – Hinigaran, John Rey Tabujara – Cauayan, Marvin Malacon – EB Magalona, Ray Ruiz – Candoni, John Paul Alvarez – Ilog, Marilyn Era – Calatrava, Enrique Miravales – Valladolid and Javier Miguel Benitez – Victorias City.
Benitez said he will announce whether he will seek reelection as mayor of Victorias or run for representative of the 3rd District at the Victorias Coliseum on Sept. 20.
Board Members Andrew Montelibano, Rommel Debulgado, Araceli Somosa, Manuel Frederick Ko, Jeffrey Tubola and RJ Sablan of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas Negros Occidental chapter were also present.
Ko is running as first nominee of the Abang Lingkod Partylist in 2025.
Sipalay Councilor Ralph Alvarez, the nephew of Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, is running for Negros Occidental 6th District Board Member in place of Valentino Miguel Alonso who is on his last term.
Meanwhile, Yogore will be challenged by former mayor Ricardo Presbitero for mayor of Valladolid. Yogore’s runningmate will be Mayor Enrique Miravalles.
Zayco said his runningmate will be Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco and those running for councilor under his ticket are Marivic Anacan Ramos, Joestarr Bandojo, Joan Daclan Cagape, Jose Dumaguete, Jerzy Guazon, Goergelyn Lagardo, Nolan Novero, Adolfo Mangao Jr., Macario Zafra III and Anne Marie Zayco,
Incumbent Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda has announced that he is seeking reelection.
In Silay City Golez will be running against incumbent mayor Joedith Gallego.*