• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The six mayors in the 5th District of Negros Occidental have been given a free hand by the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) to choose their respective candidates for congressman.
The mayors are “free to choose who among the congressional candidates they will support,” Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., secretary general of UNegA, said.
Incumbent Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, a member of Lakas-CMD, is being challenged by Board Member Anton Occeño, the chairman of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)-Negros Occidental Chapter.
Lakas-CMD is headed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez while the PFP is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Yulo got the support of mayors Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran, Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo of Moises Padilla, and Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of La Castellana.
In Isabela, Yulo’s son Miguel Angelo Yulo is running for mayor with former vice mayor JR Malabor as his runningmate.
The congressman’s recent fellowship activity in Himamaylan City was attended by more than 1,100 barangay officials in the 5th District.
In the case of Himamaylan City where UnegA members, Mayor Raymund Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao have parted ways, Escalante said the party will continue to support both party members, who are seeking reelection in their respective positions.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier endorsed Occeño, as requested by PFP national president, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. | GB
