Mayors affiliated with United Negros Alliance (UNegA) are committed to support the tandem of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice-Governor Jeffrey Ferrer in next year’s elections.
Cadiz City Mayor and UNegA secretary general Salvador Escalante Jr. made the declaration as reports circulated that some individuals are pushing lawyer and Bacolod City Tourism and Investment Consultant John Orola to challenge Lacson in the May polls next year.
Orola, however, debunked reports that he is running for governor, He said he has not transferred his voting records from highy-urbanized Bacolod City to Negros Occidental.
Despite his denial, a Facebook Page openly encouraging Orola to run for governor, has been created.
A post on the 1- Orola Daily Facebook Page yesterday quoted the former Bacolod congressman saying, “Whatever is the decision of the people, on where I should run, I will see in the coming days.”
UNegA and Love Negros forged an alliance in the provincial level in 2018, with Lacson and Ferrer as their common candidates for the governor and vice governor.
UNegA has 13 incumbent mayors, while Love-Negros, where Lacson is a member, has 18 mayors.
Ferrer had said that he will seek re-election next year as the running mate of Lacson.
Meanwhile, Escalante said that they are now requiring UNEgA mayors to submit their official slate for next year’s polls, for them to prepare their Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
A CONA is required from those who are filing their Certificate of Candidacy, claiming nomination from a political party or coalition.
Based on existing election rules, (a candidate) whose CONA was filed after the last day of filing of COC is considered an independent. – GB
