NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson backs the idea brought up by several politicians that the Supreme Court (SC) should review whether it is constitutional for President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president in the upcoming 2022 national elections.
Late Tuesday night, August 24, Duterte announced that he has accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban for him to run as vice president.
According to Lacson, from what he had read, some politicians are planning to question Duterte's plans to the SC.
Lacson said while an incumbent president cannot run for re-election, he can still run for another lower post, which includes the vice president.
"But the question is in case of a vacancy at Malacañang, can a vice president Duterte take over the position?" Lacson said.
He said they will wait for further developments, especially since Duterte also specifically stated that he will not seek the position should her daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, decide to run for the Presidency in 2022.
On the possibility of a Duterte-Duterte tandem, Lacson said anything is possible, although they still need to take the president's word that he would not run if her daughter decides to seek the highest post of the land.
Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed the clash among members of the Love-Negros and Unega alliance in some localities.
He said Love-Negros will back the re-election bid of Mayor Irene Montilla against Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr., who will be backed by Unega.
It was earlier reported that Former Mayor Joselito Malabor will make a comeback, but a source said that his nephew incumbent Vice Mayor Malabor will be the one running for mayor.
Lacson also confirmed that Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon has already informed him of his plan to run for mayor in Himamaylan against Unega's incumbent Mayor Raymund Tongson.
In Hinoba-an, Lacson said two Love-Negros members, Councilor Daph Anthony Reliquias and Punong Barangay Oscar Daclan, will fight it out for the mayorship.
Mayor Ernesto Estrao, who is already on his last term, will run as vice mayor in tandem with Reliquias.
The support of the party will depend on who gets the support of Sixth District Representative Genaro Alvarez, Lacson said.
Lacson also said that former Deputy Speaker Mercedes Alvarez will replace his father in Congress representing the district in 2022.
The alliance will back reelectionist Congressman Gerardo Valmayor in the first district while Sagay City Mayor Alfredo "Thirdy" Marañon will come back in Congress. Incumbent Representative Leo Rafael Cueva will run for vice mayor of Sagay City in tandem with Vice Mayor Narciso Javelosa.
In other districts, incumbent representatives will be supported by the alliance, Lacson said.