NEGROS Occident Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, said Love Negros will also have its meeting on Saturday, September 18 at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City.
On the same day, the United Negros Alliance (Unega) also set a separate meeting at the same venue.
Lacson explained that "it is just a coincidence that we will have our meeting on the same day and venue."
He said the coalition will only agree later about the date of their filing of Certificate of Candidacies (COC).
"We will file on the same date but not at the same time because of the Covid-19 [threat], where we should observe physical distancing," Lacson said.
The governor said he will meet and discuss with Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer about the situation in some localities where the coalition members are running against each other.
Meanwhile, Lacson said Himamaylan City may also be declared as "zona libre" in next year's election.
This, after Board Member Agustin Ernesto Bascon confirmed that he will run for mayor against incumbent Mayor Raymund Tongson.
Other areas that have been declared as "zona libre" are the towns of Isabela and Toboso.
Tongson earlier said he is ready to face Bascon, adding that he is hoping to get the endorsement from Lacson and other leaders of both Love Negros and Unega.
The governor said it is difficult to just choose one between the two who are both his friends.
Bascon is with Love Negros while Tongson is with Unega.