Planters group supports Marañon's bid

GOVERNOR Alfredo Marañon Jr. revealed that another major planters group in Negros Occidental is backing his reelection bid against Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez in the 2013 elections.

Marañon said he got the assurance Monday from the president of one of the biggest planters group in the province. He described the president of the planters group to be very close to his brother, the late governor Joseph Marañon. He said the group will come out very soon.

The group is the second planters group in the Negros Occidental to have pledged support for Marañon's reelection bid.

The United Sugar Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) led by its president Manuel Lamata came out with its support for Marañon over Alvarez.

Marañon announced the group's support, as he reiterated that he won't change his mind in his decision to seek reelection.

He made the statement in answer to the statement issued Monday by his opponent, Alvarez, who said that he expects a change of heart by Marañon.

"I am not threatened by such support shown by them (officials and members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the party where Alvarez belongs) last Saturday.  I am running because the people of Negros are with me. Aside from the planters, I also have the support of the farmers. Let's just see whose eyes are going to swell on May 14, 2013 after the elections," Marañon said.

Marañon and Alvarez run and won under the United Negros Alliance (UNA) party during the 2010 elections.

The Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC) officially endorsed the tandem of Alvarez and former mayor San Carlos mayor Eugenio Lacson for governor and vice governor respectively.

Marañon also bared that he will announce his running mate on the day they file their Certificates of Candidacy.

"I have a lot of revelations and more developments would be known after the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy," Marañon said.

He said UNA will no longer hold a convention because his entire line- up for the whole province has been ready and small things are only being ironed out at this time.

Marañon said he was assured of the support Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district, Negros Occidental), but he withheld his comments on the confirmation of Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (5th district), his nephew, of a change of heart for his opponent because of party decision.

Mirasol is a member of the Liberal Party which has forged a partnership with the NPC.

Marañon plans to hold a press conference with his running mate before they file their COCs on a still undisclosed date.