• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, Sept. 4 said he expects the two probable gubernatorial candidates to sit down for talks as the United Negros Alliance and Love Negros work toward reaching a consensus for a common candidate in the 2028 elections.
2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez have surfaced as the top potential contenders for the gubernatorial post.
This anticipated political matchup comes as Lacson serves his final term as governor of the province.
Lacson, who is affiliated with Love Negros, said there may be a need for another meeting between the two alliances, particularly involving the probable candidates themselves.
“The two parties, especially the probable candidates, are supposed to sit down and talk,” he said, adding that he expects to find out within the month if the coalition has already reached a consensus.
Marañon is the United Negros Alliance chairman while Deputy Speaker Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who is the father of Rep. Benitez, is among the lead convenors of Love Negros.
Asked whether he would act as mediator in the negotiations, Lacson said he never had any intention of becoming a “king maker.”
“I will not be the one to decide on who the lone candidate of the coalition will be,” the governor stressed.
Lacson himself has been pushing for a lone coalition gubernatorial candidate in 2028. | GPB
