ABANG Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano said Wednesday, August 22, that the governorship is non-negotiable for Love Negros in the 2019 elections.
If the negotiation or merger talks fail, Love Negros may field Third District Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez for governor of the province with Vice Governor Jose Eugenio Lacson as his running mate but if the merger succeeds, we will field Lacson for governor with the vice gubernatorial candidate to be chosen by the United Negros Alliance (Unega), Paduano said, adding he has blessings from Benitez to make a pronouncement.
"The ball now is in the hands of Governor Alfredo Marañon who leads the Unega," Paduano said in a press conference.
For a possible merger, Love Negros and Unega should observe the rule on the equity of the incumbent and that because Marañon is already graduating, the next in line would be Lacson who is the vice governor.
Paduano also said that Benitez is contemplating on not running anymore in the 2019 elections because he wants to unify Negros.
Paduano's statement came after reports came out that a possible “Double A” in the top two positions in the province for 2019, referring to Benitez and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon for governor and vice governor, respectively.
"There is no such a thing as ‘Double A’ or ‘Triple A’ as it is just a brand of a battery," Paduano said.
The possible “Double A” tandem came out after the reported initial talks between Marañon and Benitez over the weekend.
Paduano explained that everything, either there will be a merger or not, is being ironed out in the top level positions to the districts, then to the city and municipal level.
He explained that Benitez and Lacson will not fight against each other as far as 2019 election is concerned and that they have all the respect for Lacson who is a real party man.
Paduano said that aside from unity in the province, Benitez, who is now considered a leader of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) among congressmen, has been working for good governance.
Benitez is reportedly being offered to be the PDP-Laban's national campaign manager for the 2019 elections if he opted not to run in any government position.
Paduano also clarified that he called for a press conference on Wednesday, August 22, to clarify matters about provincial politics and the official position of Love Negros and Benitez.
For his part, Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., secretary-general of Unega, said that Marañon and Benitez have already agreed upon themselves to have unity.
"Actually Congressman Caraps (Paduano) is not privy to the talks. It's just between the governor and Congressman Albee. So probably that's one of the angles seen by Paduano. As I have said, anything is possible. So there's nothing final yet," Escalante said.
He pointed out that the most important thing is the two leaders are talking and everything will depend on the final talks of the two groups on who will be the candidates for governor and vice governor in the next year’s polls.
"What is important is we should agree to have unity," Escalante said.
Escalante also said that they have not set a timetable yet. “But we have to decide before October 1 which is the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy."
Escalante said that talks are ongoing. "I was privy to the meeting with the governor and Cong. Benitez last Friday, August 17, and nothing is definite yet. We will see what will happen," he added.
Meanwhile, Paduano said he is still now busy with his work in Congress being the deputy minority floor Leader.
But as far as Bacolod politics is concerned, former mayor Monico Puentebella will challenge Representative Greg Gasataya in the 2019 elections and that former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson will challenge incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.