THE United Negros Alliance (Unega) and Love Negros leaders are now trying their best effort to push the merger down to the towns and cities in the province to avoid a clash among their members in the 2019 elections.
Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., secretary-general of Unega, said this was the subject of their meeting Monday, September 24, with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and former Fourth District representative Jeffrey Ferrer.
"We are aware this is also the effort being made by the leaders of Love Negros," Escalante said, meaning the political leaders are making efforts that the respective mayors in the towns and cities will have no opponents in the 2019 elections in the province.
He said they want to make sure that the 14 mayoralty bets of Unega will have no opponents in 2019.
According to Escalante, Unega’s mayoral candidates, most of whom were re-electionists, are:
First District
1. Toboso - Mayor Richard Jaojoco
2. Salvador Benedicto - Mayor Marxlen Dela Cruz
Second District
1. Manapla - former mayor Manuel Escalante ( former Mayor)
2. Cadiz City - Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr.
3. Sagay City - Mayor Alfredo Marañon III
Fourth District
1. Bago City - Mayor Nicholas Yulo
2. La Carlota City - Mayor Luis Jalandoni III
3. San Enrique - Mayor Jilson Tubillara
4. Pontevedra - Mayor Jose Maria Alonso
Fifth District
1. Isabela - Mayor Joselito Malabor
2. La Castellana - Rhumyla Mangilimutan
3. Himamaylan City - former mayor Raymond Tongson
Sixth District
1. Candoni - Mayor Cicero Borromeo
2. Hinoba-an - Mayor Ernesto Estrao
Escalante said that in Binalbagan, incumbent Mayor Emmanuel Aranda will be challenged by Fifth District Representative Alejandro Mirasol, who are both members of Unega.
"So may the best man win," he said.
Reports have it that Aranda is being offered to run for board member but he reportedly refused and wants to try it out against Mirasol. Both are former allies.
Escalante said that third District Board Member David Albert Lacson on is still undecided as of this time and that his options would be to come back and run as mayor of E.B. Magalona or seek re-election.
He also said Unega is also working out that Love Negros will not be opposed.