• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The United Negros Alliance (UNegA) gears up for the 2025 midterm elections as the party got about 200 new members, who took their oaths during the general assembly at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Saturday.
The party also formally declared and endorsed Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso as the UNegA candidate for vice governor.
About 20 members as well took their oath as members of the National Unity Party (NUP), which was administered by Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, who also confirmed his intention to run for congressman of the Fourth District.
Alonso will be paired with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Love Negros, who is seeking a reelection for a third and final term.
Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, who is the UNegA chairman, welcomed the new members, saying that the UNegA and Love Negros coalition is getting stronger as the years go by.
The UNegA general assembly was attended by six incumbent board members, 13 mayors, 14 vice mayors, 117 city and municipal councilors, among others.
UNegA has an existing coalition with rival political group Love Negros under Lacson since 2019.
Alonso, in his acceptance speech, admitted that it will be hard for him to follow what Ferrer has done for the province, citing the accomplishments achieved by the Provincial Board under his stewardship.
Lacson said that he is happy with the choice of Alonso, whom he had been working with during his term as vice governor.
He also said that Ferrer deserves to be in Congress, stressing that he is “very close” to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“So let’s take advantage of that,” he added.
In the last five years, Lacson said he has not been “favoring anyone.”
“I’d try to help as much as the provincial government coffers can afford,” the governor said as he thanked UNegA members for their all-out support to his administration.
“I am hoping and praying that the coalition will continue up to 2028 and even beyond,” Lacson said.
Among those who joined the NUP were Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen dela Cruz and La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandoon. | GB
