• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two mayors in the second district of Negros Occidental, who are members of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), are contemplating to return to their previous political party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III used to be members of Lakas-CMD before joining the PDP in 2017.
Escalante Jr. said that he will ask permission first from Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III to resign from the PDP as a sign of respect.
“Most probably, I will return to Lakas-CMD, a political party I have been affiliated with ever since,” he added.
He said that Escalante III also signified his intention to rejoin Lakas-CMD.
“Usually when we decide, we decide as a district,” Escalante Jr. said, referring to the second district composition of Manapla as well as the cities of Cadiz and Sagay.
He added that there would be no problem if he and Escalante III will rejoin Lakas-CMD while Sagay City Mayor Javelosa remains with the National Unity Party (NUP) since both parties are coalesced with each other.
Escalante Jr. said that Marañon, a member of NUP, encouraged him to join the Lakas-CMD headed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Marañon and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrrer are also members of the NUP.
He added that he will also invite members of the Cadiz City Council to join him in Lakas-CMD.
Meanwhile, Escalante Jr., the secretary-general of United Negros Alliance, said they will hold a party convention either in mid-June or July to finalize the list of candidates in next year’s elections.
Of the 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, UNegA has 13 mayors, with 16 others affiliated with Love Negros, and two independents, including the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay. | GB
