Marañon: Cojuangco and I remain friends

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Thursday that he and Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco remain friends and that he can go to him anytime.

Marañon made the statement despite the endorsement made by Cojuangco of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, the governor’s political rival for the top position of the province in 2013.

"We are in a democracy and it's good for the province that people will have a lot of candidates to choose from," Marañon said, echoing Cojuangco's statement.

He added that aside from Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Federation of the Philippines (Unifed), Enrique Rojas of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) has also declared his personal support for him over Alvarez.

Marañon also said that a sudden change of mind by some mayors is also expected in the coming days, despite their presence and declaration of support for his opponent Alvarez during the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) oathtaking last Saturday.

He said he is also sure that other mayors who were not present at the said oathtaking are all supporting his reelection bid.

"Let's see after the filing of the COC (certificate of candidacy) to whom these candidates are going to align with. Expect a very quick shifting by the candidates of their support," Marañon said, as he confirmed that he does not intend to withdraw his decision to run for reelection in the 2013 elections.

Marañon said he will not divulge yet the date for his filing of the COC, saying he will still consult a fung shui expert for a lucky day.

Marañon also said that his administration will continue with the 11-point agenda if he will get reelected in 2013 particularly prioritizing food security, health, education and poverty alleviation.

He also reiterated his challenge for an everyday debate to his opponents where they will take up their visions and plans for the province.

This, as Marañon is being criticized for his projects that allegedly have no return of investment (ROI).

He said government projects should be expected to have the ROI like the hospitals, roads and bridges, and school buildings through improved services.

He said infrastructure projects mostly are inter generation that would also benefit the future generations because these projects are there to last.

But Marañon emphasized that the Cyber Center being built now by the Provincial Government will surely have the ROI because it is an income-generating project that could pay back the funds used for its construction through rentals and jobs to be generated.

He also said that his administration availed loans to finance his projects because the Provincial Government can avail low interest rates at 4.75 percent from such loans.

He said equal distribution of projects is given in all towns and cities in the province, brushing off allegations that he is giving priority in giving projects to northern Negros. (Teresa D. Ellera)