The two big political parties in Negros Occidental, Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance, have a previous agreement that the next governor of the province to be fielded by their coalition in 2028 will come from UnegA, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said on Tuesday, May 20.
There was an agreement that the governor would be from Love Negros until 2028 then UnegA would field its own, Escalante, UnegA secretary general, said.
The possible contenders for governor of Negros Occidental in 2028 are Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer – 4th District representative-elect, and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III – 2nd District, he said.
Ferrer is president and Marañon is chairman of UnegA.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson of Love Negros earlier said that even after he finishes his third term in 2028, he wants to see the strong coalition of the two local political parties continue as his legacy.
“That’s a good statement because that legacy was handed down to the governor by the late governor Freddie Marañon (of UnegA),” Escalante said.
He pointed out that Negros Occidental is now enjoying governorship with no fighting because of the coalition of the two big parties.
“Based on the statement of governor it appears that there will not be a fight in 2028, we will see,” Escalante said.
Of the 31 just elected mayors of Negros Occidental, 14 are said to be members of UnegA, 13 from Love Negros and four are independents.
Escalante said if Bacolod representative-elect Alfredo Abelardo Benitez becomes Speaker of the House it would be better for Negros Occidental.
“It will be a big boost for the province of Negros Occidental and we pray for that to happen,” he said.
Meanwhile. Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, 3rd District representative-elect, in a statement issued Tuesday said he will focus on the work ahead.
Benitez has been mentioned as a potential Negros Occidental gubernatorial candidate for 2028.
“I never planned to be mayor of Victorias. I never planned to run for congressman of the 3rd District. But when people come together with one voice, leadership becomes a duty, not a personal ambition,” he said.
“Now it’s time to prove that we deserve the mandate we’ve been given, especially those who ran unopposed. Leadership isn’t about position, it’s about performance,” Benitez said.
Benitez said real and urgent challenges are farmers struggling with unstable prices, students needing better access to education, families still waiting for quality healthcare, and the Negros Island Region is still a vision that must be brought to life.”
He said “2028 can wait. The people can’t”.*