FORMER Bacolod congressman Juan "John" Orola Jr., who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as governor of Negros Occidental Friday, October 8, 2021, has denied speculations that the Yanson family, especially the matriarch wing, influenced his decision to run.
Orola, who is set to challenge incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the 2022 elections, said the alleged support he received from the Yansons are merely rumors.
The gubernatorial candidate said he did not receive any offer nor help from any of the Yanson siblings and even from their mother Olivia.
“We are friends (even) before I joined this political battle. I am a friend of Mrs. Yanson and a friend of her sons and daughters,” Orola said.
The former lawmaker reiterated that he never asked for any help nor had been offered any help.
If there are any offers of help, he said, those came from the people and the marginalized sectors particularly the fisherfolk who often do not receive proper attention.
Orola filed his COC as a resident of Don Salvador Beneficto and under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).
Orola has served the government in various capacities as a local official including being a diplomat and a former administrator of Bacolod City.
He said such time-honed experience gave him the vision to create a new landscape for the province by tapping various resources and opportunities to address the problems of unemployment, poverty, especially during this coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Orola’s battle cry is "O, O, O, Na Kita!" which he said is an acronym for "Obra, Obra, Obra, Na Kita."
"Let's support a leader who has a vision, one who promotes transparency, respected by the people, and one who can touch people's hearts. So Juan for all and all for Juan sa Negros," he said.
Orola has no runningmate for vice governor, stressing that he could work well with anybody including Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer if they both win.
Meanwhile, Pedro Bolaño of Binalbagan town also filed his candidacy yesterday for Board Member of the Fifth District under the slate of Orola.
Others who filed their COCs on the last day of filing were Fifth District Board Member Agustin Ernesto "Tinto" Bascon for mayor of Himamaylan City, his vice mayoralty candidate Raymund Gatuslao; Sugar Regulatory Administrator Board Member and former vice governor Emilio Yulo III for congressman of the Fifth District; and Bernard Ferrares of Reform PH-People's Party for congressman of the Third District.