CADIZ City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. revealed Thursday, April 13, that Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez did not deny or confirm when asked pointblank if he was interested in running for governor in the 2025 elections.

Escalante said this happened during the Dinagsa Festival in his city, where Benitez was one of the invited guests.

"He just said he is still learning as a neophyte mayor, but he did not answer me yes or no to my question," Escalante added.

"With that statement, well, sin-o bala ang indi interesado basi sa iya sabat. Let's allow him to learn," Escalante said.

Meanwhile, Escalante revealed that talks about the transfer of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to the United Negros Alliance (UneGa) were discussed in an informal meeting of some seven UneGa mayors during the recent fiesta in Sagay City.

"But the result of the discussion was that we all agreed that the coalition between Love Negros and UneGa is still very strong. There's no issue with the coalition," Escalante said.

"But the consensus is that if the governor would like to join UneGa why not? But we will not persuade or invite him because there is no need because we are one now," Escalante pointed out.

Escalante said the UneGa mayors will meet again during the coming Pasalamat Festival, as they were invited by Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer. The exact date will be determined, he said.

About the vice governorship, Escalante said his name, along with that of Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, is being floated for the next election.

However, he said nothing is still definite as of now.

"It might be that Vice Governor Ferrer will opt to seek reelection and then for governor later, which is the best scenario. So we cannot tell yet about the coming elections, and nothing is definite yet," Escalante said.*