Guv: No rift with vice governor

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. clarified Monday that there is no rift between him and Vice Governor Genaro "Lim-ao" Alvarez.

"We were here today just this morning. Nag biso-biso pa kami and we even kissed each other," Marañon quipped during the demonstration of the Kubota rice harvester-transplanter machinery from the Department of Agriculture in Valladolid.

A Sun.Star Bacolod source said last week that there is a rift among members of the United Negros Alliance (UNA), the reason the supposed meeting of the party did not push through last June 19.

The source said the rift among UNA stemmed from the endorsements of party members to support Alvarez for governor in 2013 and that the party leadership has also decided to go with the endorsement of its members.

Last June 19, former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr., founder of UNA, was confirmed to have been present in the province.

In fact, Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco and Alvarez confirmed that they took lunch with Cojuangco and his wife Gretchen in Balbina, Pontevedra.

Alvarez and Zayco said they were invited by the former ambassador for lunch, “so went there and had lunch with them."

Both also said that they have not discussed politics during the said luncheon meeting.

Marañon admitted Monday, however, that he was not invited to that luncheon meeting.

"Ask them about that. I cannot answer that," he said when asked about the details of the meeting.

Marañon said he met with Cojuangco before the former ambassador's birthday in June 10 but he said it was just a casual meeting. He pointed out that Cojuangco is a busy man.

"Politics is a never ending story," Marañon said when asked if he discussed politics with Cojuangco in that meeting.

The governor has not also confirmed when UNA is going to hold its convention. He said earlier that he will declare his decision in politics during the said UNA meeting.

BACOLOD. Fourth district officials re-affirmed Monday their support for Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. (4th from L), if he decides to seek re-election. (Sun.Star Bacolod photo)

Support for Marañon

Meanwhile, the mayors in the province’s fourth district who were with the governor during the demonstration of the farm machinery Monday re- affirmed their support for Marañon if he decides for re-election.

La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer said she and her husband, fourth district Representative Jeffrey Ferrer, support the governor.

When asked about reports that Representative Ferrer is planning to run for governor, the mayor said she will support whatever is the decision of her husband but they support the governor.

Other mayors who expressed their support for Marañon were mayors Rommel Yogore of Valladolid, Jomar Alonzo of Pontevedra and Mario Magno of San Enrique.

"Ask them if UNA is already left behind," Marañon said, referring to the mayors who were with him during the demo of rice harvester.

The governor said it is early to concentrate on politics. He pointed out that, instead of politics, it is better for politicians and the media to just work to address poverty.