Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco strongly debunked speculations that he is running for vice governor, allegedly in tandem with former Bacolod Rep. John Orola, who was reported to be eyeing the gubernatorial post in the 2022 elections.
“One hundred percent, I won’t be running against Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer,” said Jaojoco, who is now on his last term as mayor.
Jaojoco and Ferrer both belong to the United Negros Alliance.
The mayor said he is running for councilor of Toboso to assist his wife, Madonna, who is gunning for the mayoral post, in tandem with Maria Luisa de la Cruz, former president of the Liga ng mga Barangay.
Jaojoco also denied that Orola had met with him, or that there was an offer for him to run for VG.
He described his relationship with Ferrer as “very close”, adding he considers the latter as his elder brother.
Jaojoco said the whole UNegA team in Toboso, including de la Cruz, is strongly committed to support the tandem of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Ferrer in the May elections.
He also confirmed that UNegA and Love Negros declared Toboso a “free zone” during the elections next year, as the clash among members of the two political groups in the town could no longer be avoided.
Love Negros is fielding either former Mayor Evelio Valencia, or incumbent Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome for the mayoralty post in Toboso. – GB
