WILL former Bacolod City administrator and Congressman John Orola challenge incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the coming May 9, 2022 elections?
Orola said his decision may be known on September 24 during the provincial convention of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to be held in Bacolod City on September 4.
Orola said he personally received an invitation from PDP-Laban leader Alfonso Cusi and that he will wait if the party will endorse him to run.
Orola said he became a member of the PDP-Laban during the leadership of former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and based on his personal knowledge, PDP-Laban is chaired by former Third District representative Alfredo Benitez.
Orola also confirmed that he has already transferred his voting registration from Bacolod City to Don Salvador Benedicto because he loves the scenery and would like to help the town.
"I am not inclined to enter politics at DSB. We have a rest house at DSB with my prima Atty. Elnora Orola. I have dreams and a desire to help the province. I may run for governor or vice-governor or remain a consultant of the city and help the province in terms of trade and tourism. I want to augment the province. Right now I am busy going around in preparation for the Dubai Exposition," Orola said.
On reports that he will be backed up and is being pushed to run for governor of the Yanson matriarch, Olivia Yanson, Orola said it is wrong information and that he does not want to involve the Yanson family in politics.
But he confirmed that Yanson, or Mommy Love, is like a mother to him and he got advice from her to take a rest and resign as city administrator for health reasons.
For his reaction, Lacson said he cannot choose an opponent.
"Good for him," Lacson said when asked for reaction on reports that Yanson will finance Orola's possible running against him.
Lacson's life partner, Emily Yanson, is Olivia’s daughter.
Lacson also noted that while Orola said that he is not inclined on running against him in the coming election, Commission on Elections record confirmed that he has transferred his residency to Don Salvador Benedicto.