NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has ruled out the possibility of challenging Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in the 2016 elections, which could mean that Marañon will likely run unopposed in his re-election bid for his third and final term.
Lacson said in a weekend interview with Aksyon Radyo Bacolod that he is down to only two options -- either to seek re-election or not to run for any post at all.
After the proposed merger between Lacson's Love Negros and Maranon's United Negros Alliance fell through, the vice governor said he has three options then -- to run for governor, seek re-election, or not to run at all.
However, Love Negros mayors have started declaring support for Marañon, wanting him to finish his term unopposed, which is seen to have primarily influenced the decision of Lacson to seek reelection himself.
"My option is down to two. Vice governor or nothing," Lacson said.
He refused to run for congressman despite the repeated endorsement of Marañon and his declared running mate fourth district Representative Jeffrey Ferrer.
Lacson said he will announce his final decision after meeting with Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) chairman emeritus, former ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., today, September 28.
Asked if it is highly possible that Marañon will be unopposed, Lacson said yes, but they still have to wait for an official statement from Love Negros, which is also backed by Cojuangco.
Lacson said he has counted at least 17 incumbent mayors under Love Negros whom he believes will support him.
He added that while most of the mayors have signified support to Marañon, their decision whether to support him or Ferrer is "a different story."
There are 19 municipalities and 12 component cities in Negros Occidental.
Lacson again said that he is asking Ferrer, who claimed that more than 50 percent of Love Negros mayors are supporting him, to name these mayors.
"Between friends, he can tell me," the vice governor said.
Lacson also urged the Love Negros mayors to be honest and frank with him.
Moreover, the vice governor downplayed reports that he will have to spend more because of the alleged shifting of support of Love Negros mayors to the Marañon-Ferrer camp.
"I'm sure mas dako and gastohon nila (they will have to spend more) if I run for re-election," Lacson said.