Guv: No politics in meeting with mayors

GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he’s only invited by the mayors of Association of Chief Executives (ACE) - Negros last Tuesday at the L' Fisher Hotel and no politics was discussed during the meeting.

He issued the clarification amidst reports that he has met anew with the mayors who have confirmed their support for his reelection bid in 2013.

Marañon said it was a regular meeting of ACE- Negros which was presided by ACE President David Albert Lacson, mayor of EB Magalona.

When he was around, there was no politics discussed, according to the governor.

"When I already left, I don't know if they discussed politics,” he said.

Marañon disclosed that 14 to 15 mayors attended the meeting.

The mayors were supposed to discuss developments on the Revolutionary Proletarian Army’s peace agreement with the officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp).

However, Opapp officials did not arrive because of cancelled flights in Manila due to heavy rains that triggered flooding and paralyzed major parts of Metro Manila and other provinces.

Political scenario still fluid

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez clarified that, although he was already chosen by the mayors in the province under the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) to be their gubernatorial candidate in the 2013 elections, there are still a lot of changes which can happen until October 1 to 5, the period for the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2013 polls.

When asked about the governor's statement that the Marañon vs. Alvarez fight for governor in the 2013 elections will be a friendly fight, Alvarez emphasized that it will not only be friendly but “a very, very friendly fight.”

Alvarez also said that majority of the mayors in the province belong to NPC, the party which has already endorsed him for governor.