(Provincial Board member) hangout outside their residence in Brgy. Alicante, EB Magalona,
Negros Occidental, in this undated photo courtesy of the Board member.
By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — The 2016 national elections may still be far, but two cousins were already particularly interested in the position of 3rd District representative in Negros Occidental.
And the game might just be on for mayors Andrew Montelibano of Murcia town and David Lacson of EB Magalona if incumbent Cong. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez decides to run for senator.
Benitez, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, was reportedly being wooed by no less than President Benigno Aquino III to join the party’s senatorial slate.
“I am willing to pursue the dreams of Congressman Albee [for] the 3rd District,” Montelibano said following Lacson’s expression of interest.
Montelibano disclosed that Benitez already bared his plan to run for Senate during a recent meeting with barangay captains and political leaders in Mambukal Resort.
But “I told him (Benitez) he should think it through,” the mayor said. “We want to make sure he wins; we will support him all the way.”
Still, Montelibano believes the 3rd District needs a representative like Benitez. “His successor would have a hard time to equal his performance in the district,” he said. “His successor must have his blessing.”
Montelibano said he will pursue the position “if he (Benitez) anoints me.” By then, “I will not be in two minds,” he said.
He also revealed that the Love Negros-Nationalist People’s Coalition considers fielding their cousin, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Patrick Lacson, in the EB Magalona mayoral race.
WIFE-COUSIN CLASH?
Talks had it, too, that David Lacson’s wife, Risa, may run for mayor of EB Magalona and may be up against Lacson’s cousin, Patrick.
“I hope that won’t happen,” Montelibano said. “But it would still be up to them.”
David did not confirm talks about his wife’s possible bid for the position he is currently holding. Patrick earlier said he would seek another elective position once his term ends in 2016, but when reached to give details, he didn’t seem so certain.
“Elections are too far away,” he told Panay News in a text message, “although I am interested [in serving] the town (EB Magalona) because this is where I live now.”
Asked about a possible contest between him and Risa Acaling–Lacson, Patrick said he “maintains a good relationship with the incumbent mayor.”
“He is my first cousin,” Patrick said of David. “Our families are solidly in good terms with each another. Politics is one thing, family is another. We might have different personal [and political] differences, [but] it’s all normal. What’s more important are the people we serve.”
In the mid-term elections in May last year, David supported the reelection bid of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., while Patrick backed Marañon’s challenger and erstwhile ally, then Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez.
Former governor and incumbent Government Service Insurance System president Daniel Lacson is the father of Patrick. He is the brother of Ofelia, mother of Montelibano, and Bart, father of David./PN
