NPC, LP foresee victory

OFFICIALS of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) and the Liberal Party (LP) in Negros Occidental foresee a victory of the coalition party's candidates in the coming May 13 elections.

Mayor Isidro Zayco, provincial chairman of the NPC, confirmed Friday that 17 incumbent mayors in the province are solidly backing the team-up of Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez and former San Carlos City Mayor Eugenio Lacson, the party's bets for governor and vice governor, respectively.

Zayco also said that many mayors in the province are expected to defect to the NPC-LP Coalition.

"We are just doing our best efforts," Zayco said.

Representative Albee Benitez, provincial chairman of the LP, said that he also sees a smooth victory for the Alvarez-Lacson tandem in the province.

Zayco and Benitez, along with Representative Mercedes Alvarez, Vice Governor Alvarez and Lacson were guests in the launching of the Central Philippine State University, formerly the Negros State College of Agriculture, in Barangay Camingawan, Kabankalan City.

Zayco and Benitez predict that majority of the mayors who will win in the May polls will be those candidates belonging to the NPC-LP coalition.

Zayco added that the close scrutiny of the 2013 Provincial Budget is just part of the functions and duties of the Provincial Board to protect the interest of the entire province.

He said he does not see any negative effect on the candidacies of Alvarez and his allies.

"The SP is authorized to review the budget. It's a normal procedure," Zayco said.

Both Zayco and Benitez also assured that the NPC-LP coalition in the province will deliver winning votes for Team PNoy senatorial bets.

Benitez said that, in all indications, especially based on the results of the latest surveys of the Social Weather Station (SWS) and Pulse Asia, an administration Senate is already sure after the May 13 elections.

The survey results revealed either an 8-4 or 9-3 Team PNoy dominated Senate in the coming congress. (Teresa D. Ellera/Carla N. Canet)