Thursday, April 5, 2018
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The guessing game is still on whether or not Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will be a candidate for Negros Occidental governor in next year’s elections.

Lacson said he is still waiting for the decision of Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District), who has the option to run for senator, governor of Negros Occidental, or to retire from politics.

“Without the decision of Cong. Albee, I cannot make my decision”, Lacson said.

Asked whether the decision of Love-Negros hinges also on the decision of Benitez, Lacson replied “It will follow”.

Incumbent Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. is now on his last term as governor of the province.

Benitez and Lacson are members of Love-Negros, a rival local political group of the United Negros Alliance headed by Marañon.

Lacson said the unification of Love-Negros and UNegA would be an ideal situation. “I think, after the barangay elections, there will be decisions made already by individuals concerned, especially for the highest position in the province”, he added.

For now, the focus is on the barangay elections, Lacson also said.

Benitez and Lacson, as well as other members of Love-Negros, met before the Holy Week. However, no decision was made on whether Benitez will run for senator or governor of Negros Occidental.

In previous interviews, Lacson said that there will be no clash between him and Benitez.

Lacson is now on his second term as vice governor of Negros Occidental.

While there should no political party involved in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in May, Lacson said “We have friends who would like to run for positions in their respective barangays”.

“It is natural to help them in whatever manner we can”, he added.

“What is important is that the elections are finally pushing through. It is up to the community to decide on who will be their leaders in the next three years”, Lacson also said.*GPB