NEGROS Occidental second district Board Member Salvador Escalante confirmed that the United Negros Alliance (Unega) held a meeting Tuesday, May 8, at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City.
The meeting was presided by Unega's chairman and founder, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Escalante, Unega secretary-general, said the meeting was attended by 15 mayors and eight members of the Provincial Board.
"Governor Marañon just wanted to get some feedback from our members about their assessment especially pertaining to the peace and order all over the province relative to the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections," Escalante said.
It was just for the barangay elections, he said, adding that after the elections, they will meet again relative to the 2019 elections.
Those who attended the meeting Tuesday were Mayors Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, Cicero Borromeo of Candoni, Johnrey Tabujara of Cauayan, Emmanuel Aranda of Binalbagan, Jilson Tubillara of San Enrique, Jose Benito Alonso of Pontevedra, Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Rhumyla Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Patrick Escalante of Cadiz City, Alfredo Marañon III of Sagay City, Lourdes Escalante of Manapla, Mayor Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, Araceli Somosa of Calatrava, Marxlene Dela Cruz of Salvador Benedicto, Joselito Malabor of Isabela, and Luis Jalandoni III of La Carlota City.
Aside from Escalante, other board members who were present during the meeting were Samson Mirhan of the second district, David Albert Lacson of the third district, Victor Javellana and Jose Maria Alonso of the fourth district, Alain Gatuslao of the fifth district, Valentino Miguel Alonso of the Philippine Councilor’s League-Negros Occidental, and Annabelle Bermudo of Liga ng mga Barangay.
Escalante said the governor also told Unega officials to update him about the peace and order situation in the barangays so that they could make a recommendation to the police, army and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
He said they have not yet discussed the possible candidates of Unega in the 2019 elections especially for governor and vice governor.
He said the upcoming barangay and SK elections are non-partisan so they are refrained from campaigning and endorsing any candidate.
Also present were fifth district Representative Alejandro Mirasol and former fourth district Representative Jeffrey Ferrer, Lacson said.
"There is no declaration yet. It was just a get-together. Maybe we would know about the plans for 2019 in July yet. The governor just wanted to meet us," Lacson added.