VICE Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, the provincial chairman of the United Negros Alliance (Unega), confirmed Tuesday, August 24, that there are two localities in Negros Occidental where members of Unega and Love-Negros will clash against each other for the mayorship in the coming May 9, 2022 elections.
Ferrer did not reveal yet the names of the localities and the members of the Unega and Love-Negros Alliance.
SunStar Bacolod sources, however, revealed that the two localities are Isabela where incumbent Mayor Irene Montilla will be challenged by former mayor Joselito Malabor for his comeback.
Malabor lost by a slim margin of 48 votes after garnering 13,844 votes, compared with the 13,892 votes obtained by Montilla in the 2019 elections.
Reports also have it that Board Member (5th District) Ernesto Agustin "Tinto" Bascon will challenge incumbent Mayor Raymund Tongson in Himamaylan City. Bascon is the former mayor of the city for nine years.
Meanwhile, Ferrer said they are already assured by both Unega and Love-Negros that nobody from their alliance will run against him and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the May 9, 2022 elections.
Ferrer also said that he will stick with the National Unity Party as he is the provincial chair of the party.
About the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance of the local candidates in the province, Ferrer said they may sign them next week.
Unega Secretary General and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante said that as of last week, three mayors have already submitted their complete lineup of candidates of vice-mayor and councilors.
Escalante said he has started signing voluminous documents for Cona of candidates for Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, and Sagay City.
Escalante said after his signature as secretary general, he will submit the documents to Mayor Alfredo Maranon III as party president and to Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer as the Provincial Chair.