• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson formally announced yesterday his endorsement of the candidacies of Mark Golez and Isidro Zayco as mayoral candidates in the cities of Silay and Kabankalan, respectively.
Golez, who was endorsed earlier by Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, and Zayco are both members of Love Negros headed by Lacson.
Lacson also endorsed Bacolod congressional aspirant Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
The governor threw support as well to the tandem of Isabela mayoral candidate Juan Miguel Montilla and his mother, incumbent Mayor Irene Montilla, who is running for vice mayor.
Miguel Angelo Yulo, son of Fifth District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, is also running for mayor of Isabela.
Lacson also endorsed the reelection bid of Mayor Raymund Tongson in Himamaylan City.
The governor expressed support to the congressional bid of Fifth District Board Member Anthony Dennis Occeño, who chairs the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)-Negros Occidental.
Yulo said Lacson’s endorsement of his opponent awakened his supporters, who compose the “silent majority.”
Yulo, who is seeking re-election for a second term, said recipients of his scholarship programs are leading his campaign in Binalbagan while two groups of volunteers in La Castellana have offered to help his campaign.
“They took the initiative (of campaigning for me). That is a big thing for me,” the lawmaker said.
Yulo, a member of Lakas-CMD, said he respects the stand of Lacson, who is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
Lakas-CMD and NPC forged an alliance with the PFP, which is headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for the May 12 elections. | GB
