• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III is the best bet of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) for governor of the province in the 2028 elections, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said Aug. 23.
Escalante, secretary-general of UNegA, said everybody in the alliance is qualified to run for governor, but “as it is now, Congressman Thirdy is the best bet of UNegA”.
But he clarified that nothing has been finalized yet since it will be a collective decision of UNegA during a convention. “In due time…it will fall into place.”
“We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” Marañon said when asked if he’s ready to run for governor in case the alliance finally decides on him.
He echoed Escalante’s statement that everybody in UNegA is “very much qualified” if called upon to run for governor, although he insisted that what’s more important now is to continue working for the good of Negrenses.
The names of Marañon and 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez have surfaced as possible gubernatorial candidates in the 2028 elections.
Benitez had clarified in a Negros NOW Daily report last week that no decision has been made on the matter, adding that discussions among leaders of the province’s political coalition are ongoing.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is affiliated with Love Negros, has been pushing for a single, unified candidate for governor.
UNegA and Love Negros have maintained a coalition for nearly nine years. | CGC
