By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Himamaylan City Councilor Justin Gatuslao claims he has been receiving encouragement to seek higher office in the upcoming 2019 polls.
The first-term local official said supporters want him to run for vice mayor.
“Who wouldn’t want to serve as vice mayor?” he proclaimed in an exclusive interview with Watchmen Daily Journal.
If he were to seek the post, Gatuslao said he would “steer the legislative track towards more inclusive and efficient governance.”
Alongside Gatuslao, his cousin, Raymond Gatuslao, has also been floated as a possible candidate.
Also being considered for the position are City Councilors Julie Ann Vasquez and Ricky Genova.
Incumbent Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Bascon, another Gatuslao relative, is said to be eyeing a run for Negros Occidental fifth district representative, set to be vacated by incumbent Rep. Alejandro Mirasol in 2019.
Vice Mayor Carmina Bascon, the mayor’s mother, is reportedly next in line for the position, which would leave the vice mayor position open in 2019.
She previously served four terms as Himamaylan City mayor.
Meanwhile, in the fifth district race, Bascon faces a potential battle with his cousin, Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Alain Gatuslao, who has also been named as a potential candidate./WDJ