• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The resignation of 10 members of the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental was described by a ranking party official as “uncalled for”.
Lawyer Jesus “JV” Hinlo, deputy secretary general for Visayas, admitted that he was surprised as he never expected their resignation.
The move of the Victorias City officials came after Hinlo earlier disclosed that PDP-Laban is considering former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca as their gubernatorial bet in the 2025 mid-term elections, following a discussion of their party members and allies.
He, however, clarified that Palanca “has not yet accepted our invitation for him to represent PDP as our governor candidate.”
Palanca has been appointed and has taken his oath of office as PDP’s vice president in Negros Occidental, Hinlo said.
In the event that the former mayor accepts the challenge and the invitation for him to run for governor in 2025, Hinlo said it is expected by the PDP that the people of Victorias City will rally behind him and take pride in having one of their “kasimanwas” run for governor.
Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and nine city councilors, among them the son of Palanca himself, resigned from PDP-Laban on Wednesday, stressing that they never been consulted about the possibility of fielding the former mayor in the gubernatorial post.
“It appears that the leadership of PDP-Laban in Negros Occidental under Atty. Hinlo has overlooked the basic principle that an organization should promote inclusivity through ‘consultation before decision,’ not the other way around,” they said.
As far as consultative democracy is concerned, Hinlo said the Victorias City officials could have just talked to him first.
The former mayor is a member of Love Negros, which is headed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who earlier confirmed his intention to seek a third and last term.
Hinlo said they believe that the majority of Victorias City residents “will support Wantan.”
“He is in touch with the masses and has performed well as a public official,” he added.
Hinlo further said that when the former mayor joins the gubernatorial race and eventually wins, “the politics at the Capitol will change as he will bring the Capitol nearer to the masses.”
Meanwhile, Cadiz City Salvador Escalante Jr. said the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) remains firm its commitment to support Lacson in his bid for last term.
“We are a provincial party. If you have another preference at the national level it’s your right,” Escalante, UNegA secretary-general, said. | GB
