There will be more battles for mayoral posts in Negros Occidental in 2022, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, August 25.
He said in Hinoba-an, Mayor Ernesto Estrao is on his third and last term and is expected to run for vice mayor.
Two candidates who are allies of Rep. Genaro Alvarez (Negros Occidental, 6th District) of Love Negros are
eyeing the mayoral post in Hinoba-an, Lacson said.
They are Councilor John Ray Reliquias and Culipapa Barangay Captain Oscar Daclan, he said.
Lacson said he is leaving the matter to the congressman to address.
In Toboso, two Love Negros members are being considered to run for mayor against the wife of Mayor Richard Jaojoco, Madonnah, of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA), Lacson said. They are Vice Mayor Edgar Bartolome and former Mayor Evello Valencia.
In Isabela, a battle for mayor is expected between incumbent Irene Montilla of Love Negros versus Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr. of UNegA, he added.
Lacson said Board Member Agustin Ernesto Bascon of Love Negros has not confirmed to him that he will run for mayor against incumbent Raymund Tongson of UNegA in Himamaylan City.
They are supporting Victor Gerardo Rojas for mayor of Murcia and he has not heard of any person challenging Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo of Moises Padilla yet, Lacson added.
Lacson said he heard that former Rep. Mercedes Alvarez will be running for congresswoman of the sixth district in place of her father.
Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III is also running for congressman of the second district in place of his cousin Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva, who is on his third and last term, Lacson said.*