“The more the merrier.”
That was the reaction of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, October 10, to his being challenged by four other aspirants for the top post of the province.
Lacson said he was not surprised that former Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca (PDP-Laban) filed his Certificate of Candidacy for governor since his intentions had been announced previously.
Palanca’s son, Councilor Derek Palanca, and the whole Victorias City slate of mayoral aspirant Abelardo Bantug III and congressional candidate Javier Miguel Benitez have announced that they are supporting Lacson for governor.
Also running for Negros Occidental governor in 2025 are perennial candidate Ernesto Librando (Partido Maharlika), architect Jonathan Paul Octaviano (Partido Lakas ng Masa), and farmer Ferdenand Diego (Independent).*