NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Wednesday, May 9, there are more local officials in the province who would like to join United Negros Alliance (Unega).
He said he learned about it during his meeting with the members of Unega on Tuesday, May 8, at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City.
It was attended by eight members of the Provincial Board and 15 mayors in the province. Also present were fifth district Representative Alejandro Mirasol and former fourth district Representative Jeffrey Ferrer.
Marañon said he told those who want to join Unega to “relax” for now because it is still uncertain if the 2019 elections would push through.
He said they did not talk politics as it was only a pure get together because they have not met for a longer time.
They also talked about who are the winning barangay officials.
“We do not intervene in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections," the governor said.
He said it is useless to talk and plan about the 2019 elections despite there are also potential leaders in the province who could succeed him if the election pushes through.
Meanwhile, sixth district Member Pedro Zayco said Wednesday he will make a comeback in Kabankalan City, as he will run for mayor in 2019.
His brother, Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, is planning to retire from politics when his term ends in 2019.
The board member said he will run with incumbent Vice Mayor Raul Rivera as his running mate.
Zayco also said former vice governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. will also make a comeback in the sixth district to succeed his daughter Representative Mercedes Alvarez.
He said the congresswoman may just run for board member or rest for a while from politics, to give his father a grandchild.
Zayco said they have not yet chosen who will replace him and Board Member Helen Zafra who will also end her term in 2019.
He said that Love Negros may meet and make political alignments after the barangay elections.