By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr. said he is considering making a run for Cadiz City mayor, in hopes of replacing his brother, Patrick, whose term runs out in 2019.
The board member said his sibling would prefer a life in the private sector.
“[Patrick’s] passion is in agriculture and he wants to return to it,” Escalante noted.
Lourdes Escalante, another member of their clan, is the current mayor of Manapla.
Back in August, the board member said he was encouraged to seek higher office by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.
“The governor also wants me to run for vice governor,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Escalante said there have not been any formal talks regarding unity between the province’s two primary political coalitions, the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and Love Negros.
“There should be talks,” he noted.
However, both sides have expressed their support for Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez in a possible senatorial run in 2019.
Escalante also noted, his party, UNegA, has yet to formally announce a gubernatorial candidate.
Early speculation said the group would select former Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, who unsuccessfully ran for vice governor in 2016; but there has also been word the governor’s son, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, may seek the post./WDJ