NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, said it is impossible for all the mayors in the province to have a collective presidential candidate for the coming May 9, 2022 elections.
Lacson said there are already mayors who have committed to supporting specific presidential candidates, although he did not mention who they were.
As for his choice, the governor said he will have to wait for the final lists of presidential candidates before coming up with his bet.
Lacson, who is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) party, admitted that he and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer would like Board Member Agustin Ernesto “Tinto” Bascon to run for reelection.
When asked who they will be supporting in case Bascon decided to run against incumbent Mayor Raymund Tongson in Himamaylan City, Lacson said they will decide on the matter when Bascon makes the final decision.
“It’s up for Bascon to decide for himself,” he added.
Bascon belongs to Love Negros while Tongson is a member of United Negros Alliance (Unega).
Bascon has yet to reveal his decision. He said he will make an announcement when the proper time comes.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, secretary-general of Unega, declared earlier that Isabela and Toboso will be considered “zona libre” or “free zone” in the coming elections because Unega and Love Negros will have members who will run against each other for mayor.
He explained that it would mean that Unega will support their candidate while Love Negros will also support their own in these areas.
Lacson said Love Negros has 19 incumbent mayors while Unega according to Escalante has 11 incumbent mayors.
