NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. expressed optimism that the entry of provincial and local officials from opposing factions to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will unite major political groups United Negros Alliance (Unega) and Love Negros.
Marañon chairs the Unega, while Love Negros is led by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and third district Representative Alfredo Benitez.
Around 185 officials in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, will swear in as members of the ruling PDP-Laban on Friday at the L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.
Marañon said that anything is possible. “There’s no permanent friends or permanent enemies,” he added.
Still, the governor said he doesn’t know the outcome.
“Because in elections, there is a clash. We don’t know if we will unite. We can’t see the future,” he said. “But if we will unite, it’s good for the province, good for everybody, and good for the candidates. I’m hopeful we will unite.”
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, PDP-Laban secretary-general who visited the province the other week, had signified interest to unite the two political groups in the province.
Benitez, who is now a PDP-Laban member, had said that since elections are over, they will focus on their work for the province and the country.
Meanwhile, Yves Akol, secretary-general of PDP-Laban Negros Island Region, said they are expecting about 220 people, including the campaign volunteers, to attend the oath-taking rites, which will be led by Alvarez, and party president Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
Also expected to attend the ceremony are Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, Akol said.
Of the 185 new members, 106 are coming from Unega, 67 from Love Negros, and 12 from Bacolod City led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Talk on NIR concerns
Meanwhile, Marañon said he may talk to President Rodrigo Duterte about the concerns of Negros Island Region (NIR) during the latter’s visit in Bacolod for the opening of the 37th MassKara Festival on October 2.
Marañon said he will try to bring up to Duterte the non-inclusion of NIR in the 2017 appropriation of the national government.
The NIR budget for next year is still included in the previous regions of the two provinces.
Marañon, along with Negros Oriental Roel Degamo, earlier met with Duterte and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to talk about the matter, but the national government has yet to act favorably on the budget.
Marañon said he would try to talk to the President again, but he also acknowledged: “I think it’s not the proper forum.”
The governor said: “If you have a problem, you go to him (at the Palace) and ask for an appointment.”
“But if there is a chance, I will (talk to him), but I don’t think I will have a chance because many people would mobbed him,” he added.