NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson admitted on Monday, September 17, there was a last-minute appeal for Third District Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez to run for governor in the 2019 elections during the Love Negros meeting on Sunday, September 16.
"But I don't expect Congressman Albee will change his mind. He has already manifested not to run and to take a break," Lacson said.
Lacson also admitted that nothing was agreed upon by the members of Love Negros during their meeting on Sunday and that they will have another meeting this coming September 23.
"I hope that it will be final and I will insist that it will be the final meeting as far as the 2019 elections is concerned," Lacson said.
He added: "I do feel that Love Negros should come up with a final consensus because the United Negros Alliance (Unega) has already agreed on the merger and that they are waiting for the formal announcement of the merger."
He admitted there was a small glitch that happened during the meeting of Love Negros.
Lacson also said that as far as Unega is concerned, it would be the Lacson-Ferrer tandem for the province in the 2019 elections.
He is referring to himself for governor and former Fourth District representative Jeffrey Ferrer for vice governor.
Lacson also said the meeting was attended by 14 mayors who are members of Love Negros.
Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano was also present.
Reports have it that because of the insistence of some mayors that Benitez should run for governor, no consensus arrived in the Sunday's meeting.