BACOLOD City – Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson of Negros Occidental will run for governor in the 2019 mid-term election.
Lacson himself announced this in a news conference on Sunday in a restaurant in Barangay Mandalagan.
His decision was finalized during a meeting with mayors and vice mayors under the local political group Love Negros and their leader Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd District) before the news conference.
Love Negros nominated him for the gubernatorial post, Lacson said.
In addition, Love Negros was merging with another local political group, the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Benitez said his group has “officially accepted” the merger Sunday.
Love Negros has decided only on his gubernatorial candidacy, Lacson clarified. The group does not have a vice governor, he said.
In light of the merger with UNegA, their vice gubernatorial bet will have to come from Marañon’s group, said Benitez.
Marañon, currently on his last term, may no longer seek re-election.
“We have a candidate for governor who is hands-on and spends most of his time in the province,” Benitez said of Lacson.
Benitez, also currently on his last term, said he will not seek any elective position in next year’s election and will just help Lacson develop the province economically.
“I’m trying to find ways to properly develop the province,” he said. “We need livelihood, we need jobs. These can only happen if investors come in.”
Meanwhile Lacson named several Love Negros members aspiring to run for local chief executive posts next year.
They include mayors Neil Lizares of Talisay City, Mark Golez of Silay City, Marvin Malacon of EB Magalona town, Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran, Enrique Miravalles of Valladolid, John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan, Jerry Rojas of Murcia, and Frederick Palanca of Victorias City.
For representative, Love Negros will field San Carlos City mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. in the 1st District, Dr. Francisco Benitez in the 3rd District, Himamaylan City mayor Agustin Bascon in the 5th District, and former vice governor Genaro Alvarez in the 6th District./PN
