The United Negros Alliance (UNegA) commits to ensure safe, peaceful and meaningful elections in Toboso and Isabela, Negros Occidental, where its members and that of Love Negros expected to clash against each other for various elected positions in next year’ polls.
Cadiz City Mayor and UNegA secretary general Salvador Escalante Jr. said that despite of an existing alliance, the two local political groups are fielding their own candidates in Toboso and Isabela.
Escalante said that incumbent Mayor Irene Montilla of Love Negros and Vice Mayor Renato Malabor of UNegA, signified their intention to run for the Isabela mayoralty seat.
We have no choice, but to surrender, Escalante said, adding that it was already set in the local level.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said that Love Negros will choose between former mayor Evelio “Dodong” Valencia and incumbent Toboso Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome as their candidate for mayor of Toboso in the 2022 elections.
Mayor Richard Jaojoco (UNegA) earlier confirmed that his wife, Madonna, niece of the late Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr., will be running for mayor of Toboso, with former Liga ng Barangay president Maria Luisa dela Cruz, being eyed as her running mate.
We cannot stop them, especially with the death of former Provincial Consultant Mariano Antonio “ Marton” Cui, stressing that there are ongoing accusations, same with the family of Malabor in Isabela.
Cui was reportedly eyeing the Toboso mayoralty post, prior to his death.
“Who are we impose our will? We have to adhere to the positions of the family,” Escalante said.
He said that UNegA is committed to support the re-election bids of Himamaylan City Mayor Raymond Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao.
Lacson confirmed earlier that Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon told him of his intention to run for mayor of Himamaylan City.
“But nothing is final yet, as of this time,” Lacson said.
There are 13 mayors of Negros Occidental, who are affiliated with UNegA, while the 18 other local chief executives are members of Love Negros.
Escalante said he had already signed and issued Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of UNegA candidates in Sagay, Himamaylan, and La Carlota, and have to sign the CONAs of Cadiz City candidates to UNegA chairman Alfredo Marañon III, during the weekend.
He is also set to sign the CONAs of the UNegA candidates in Toboso, Manapla and Salvador Benedicto and LGUs in the 5th district, which already completed and submitted their documents. — GB
