18 mayors endorse Ferrer as UNA's bet

TO SAVE the United Negros Alliance from disintegration, 18 mayors in the province decided to endorse La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer as the party’s candidate for gubernatorial post in the 2013 elections.

E.B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson, who was present at the meeting with Negros mayors and representatives, said the endorsement was the solution that they thought of to impend the splitting between Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and his challenger Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, who both eye the gubernatorial post that will possibly lead to UNA fallout.

Although the role to choose the candidate for governor belonged to the congressmen, Lacson said the mayors’ big role in local governance should also be considered.

They will send the recommendation to the national party hierarchy with due respect to Marañon, Alvarez and former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr.

Mayor Ferrer said she is willing to sacrifice to unify the party.

However, all these will depend on the elders, especially Marañon, Alvarez and her uncle Danding, she added.

She added there are other mayors who are fit for the post like Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco but he begged off, as he wants to continue serving his city which he considers as his normal habitat.

Congressman Ferrer, also gave his blessings to his wife, Mayor Ferrer.

Mayor Ferrer is a neophyte mayor of La Carlota City. If given the chance to sit as governor, she will be the first lady governor of the province and possibly the youngest of them all.

Meanwhile, Marañon refused to comment on the matter saying "I was not there. How can I comment?”

He said he was only informed that the mayors met but there was no final decision reached.

When asked if the endorsement of Mayor Ferrer as a common candidate by the mayors would change his decision to seek reelection, Marañon said that it cannot, as he already made up his mind.

On the part of Alvarez, he said he was also not aware of reported meeting and endorsement.

When asked if such endorsement of Ferrer could change his mind to run for governor, Alvarez said "We'll see."

The mayors who endorsed Ferrer were: Marxlen de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto; Evello Valencia of Toboso; Lourdes Escalante of Manapla; Patrick Escalante of Cadiz City; David Lacson of E.B. Magalona; Jose Montelibano of Silay City; Eric Saratan of Talisay City; Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano; Bago City Mayor Ramon Torres; Valladolid Mayor Romel Yogore; San Enrique Mayor Mario Magno; Pontevedra Mayor Joemar Alonso; Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar; Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda; La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor; Moises Padilla Mayor Francisco Nazareno; Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco; with Representatives Albee Benitez (3rd district), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) and Alejandro Mirasol (5th district) during the September 6 meeting. (Teresa D. Ella/Carla N. Canet)