NEGROS Occidental Fifth District Representative Alejandro Mirasol confirmed yesterday that Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca, sister-in-law of former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will aspire to be his successor as congresswoman of the Fifth District.
He added he is endorsing her candidacy in the 2019 elections.
"Because of that I have no choice but to run for mayor of Binalbagan,” Mirasol also said.
He said Lesaca already got the approval of his brother, former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, and his wife, the house speaker. The late congressman Ignacio Arroyo was also his brother.
"I think Arroyo-Lesaca will be arriving next week to make the announcement," Mirasol said.
Mirasol also said that most likely Arroyo will run under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
When asked of his political party affiliation, Mirasol also said he is also with PDP-Laban.
Mirasol succeeded Congressman Arroyo in a special election in 2012.
Arroyo-Lesaca's candidacy is expected to change the political decisions of some political personalities in the Fifth District.
Those who have declared to run for congressman in the district were Board Member Alain Gatuslao who is being backed by the United Negros Alliance and Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon who is being backed by Love Negros.
Both Bascon and Gatuslao are close political allies of the house speaker and the late congressman.
Mirasol, on the other hand, said that his running mate would be incumbent Vice Mayor Samuel Gavaran.