By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to Love Negros leader, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, the coalition has yet to determine candidates for various positions in the upcoming 2019 polls.
He said discussions regarding 2019 should be ongoing, as the deadline to file a certificate of candidacy is in October 2018.
Benitez was earlier endorsed by the mayors of his district to run for governor; however, incumbent Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, a Love Negros partymate, also expressed interest in running for the position.
The congressman clarified, if he were to run for governor, it would be up to the consensus of his party.
He also confirmed United Negros Alliance (UNegA) leader, current Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., urged him to seek higher office, especially with PDP-Laban reserving a slot for a potential Senate run.
This has fueled rumors the two local political factions may merge in the upcoming polls.
With a prospective three-way race for his successor, between Lacson, Benitez, and former fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, the incumbent governor previously said he would attempt to “arrange” them./WDJ