The United Negros Alliance will definitely field its gubernatorial candidate for the 2028 elections, UNegA secretary-general and Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said on Tuesday morning, Sept. 15.
Among the potential candidates are Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District), Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), himself, or any other UNegA member, the mayor said.
The matter will be taken up during the UNegA general assembly, which will likely be held in 2027, he added.
Talks are also ongoing regarding several mayors planning to join the party.
Escalante, who is currently serving his final term as Cadiz mayor, denied rumors that he would assume the post of provincial administrator should Marañon win the gubernatorial race.
Addressing the possibility of running for representative of the 2nd District, Escalante said: “Your guess is as good as mine.”
The mayor, who turned 65 on Tuesday, said his ultimate goal is to retire.
By 2028, he will have spent 34 years in public service.
Escalante said his birthday wish is good health—not only for himself, but for everyone in Negros Occidental.
He also acknowledged the ongoing hardships faced by residents, particularly in upland areas, due to the drop in sugar prices, which he hopes will soon recover.
The mayor said one promising sign is a sugar central recently sold old quedans at a buying price of ₱2,850 per bag.
“Hopefully that price will hold. It’s not the best price, but it’s good enough for a start,” Escalante said.*
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