Lacson: No rift between Love, Unega

NEGROS Occidental Governor-elect Eugenio Jose Lacson clarified Friday, May 17, that there is no rift between the United Negros Alliance and Love-Negros.

Lacson made the clarification after his proclamation Friday morning went ahead of his running mate Vice Governor-elect Jeffrey Ferrer.

Lacson said Ferrer has requested that his proclamation be moved in the afternoon also Friday, as he wants to take his oath of office before outgoing Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and that he joined his wife reelected Fifth District Representative Juliet Marie Ferrer.

The newly-elected governor also said the merger between Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) will continue on since both sides have sworn to work together in harmony.

Lacson said he would take his oath of office on June 29.

At present, Lacson said he is now forming a team in order for the smooth transition of administration.

Lacson was successfully elected as the new governor after garnering 827,657 votes, against Rolando Parpa.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor-elect Jeffrey Ferrer assured support to Governor-elect Eugenio Jose Lacson.

"We have a solid partnership and we are constantly communicating," Ferrer said.

He said he has not joined Lacson during the proclamation Friday morning because he took his oath before Governor Alfredo Marañon after his proclamation.

"We'll go back now to our respective jobs for the good of the province," Ferrer said.

Marañon, for his part, advised all politicians who were proclaimed winners in the May 13 elections to go back to work now as politics is already over.

Proclaimed Friday, May 17, were Lacson, Ferrer, First District Representative Gerardo Valmayor, Fourth District Representative Juliet Marie Ferrer, Second District Representative Leo Rafael Cueva, and Board Members Romel Debulgado and Araceli Somosa of the First District, Samson Mirhan and Sixto Guanzon of the Second District, and Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko of the Third District.

Third District Congressman-elect Francisco Benitez and Board Member Andrew Montelibano were proclaimed Thursday night, May 16.

Maranon described the election as orderly and peaceful.