BOARD Member Alain Gatuslao is ready to take on the backing of the United Negros Alliance (Unega) for his congressional bid in the Fifth District in 2019 elections.

Gatuslao also said that despite the family division and political rivalry in Himamaylan City and in the Fifth District, he still sees an edge based on the results of the previous elections.

He said he got more than 20,000 votes in Himamaylan City in the 2016 elections despite their family's political rivalry.

Gatuslao said he is happy to accept the endorsement of Unega as their congressional bet in the district.

Other contenders for the position are his cousin, Himamaylan Mayor Ernesto Agustin Bascon who is also waiting for the endorsement of the Love Negros, Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca, sister of former first gentleman Mike Arroyo and the late congressman Ignacio Arroyo, and another town mayor.

"We'll see. My father has been with former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for about a decade and we are very close to the Arroyo family. I still have one term as board member, however, we also have our mayors in the Fifth District to protect," Gatuslao said.

Gatuslao said only former vice mayor Raymond Tongson who will run for mayor of Himamaylan under Unega who does not belong to their family.

His brother, Councilor Justin Gatuslao, will be their candidate for vice mayor of Himamaylan City, and that they were already endorsed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Gatuslao also said that the Fifth district could be declared a free zone because incumbent Congressman Alejandro Mirasol has decided not to seek re-election as he will be running for mayor of Binalabagan against his former ally and another Unega member, incumbent Mayor Emmanuel Aranda.