The secretary-general of the United Negros Alliance said Sunday, May 2, that he was not aware that two of their members are planning to challenge incumbent congressmen in the May 2022 polls.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, UNegA secretary general, was reacting to talk that Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco would challenge Rep. Gerardo Valmayor (Negros Occidental, 1st District) and former EB Magalona Mayor David Lacson would run against Rep. Francisco Benitez (Negros Occidental,3rd District).
Both congressmen belong to Love Negros.
“That has not been discussed, there is nothing serious about it,” Escalante said.
UNegA and Love Negros are expected to maintain its coalition until 2022 that could respect the equity of the incumbent.
Escalante said the only two areas where the two groups may have candidates are in Toboso and Isabela.
Isabela Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr. plans to challenge Mayor Irene Montilla, while Jaojoco’s wife, Madonna, plans to run for mayor in Toboso, Escalante said.
He said UNegA is set to hold its quarterly meeting in May to thresh out the 2022 political plans of their members.
Escalante said UNegA and Love Negros will have to discuss if they will jointly support a single presidential candidate.*