Escalante: Everybody is calling for a unified Negros camp

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

While already mentioned as a possible Negros Occidental gubernatorial candidate in 2019, 2016 vice gubernatorial candidate and former Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer reportedly revealed he is more inclined to run for governor amid talks of a Love Negros-United Negros Alliance (UNegA) unity ticket.

If a unity ticket comes to a fruition, a top UNegA official said there is a “big possibility” of a tandem between Ferrer and incumbent Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

According to UNegA secretary-general, Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr., “Everybody is calling for a unified Negros camp for 2019.”

Local politicians pushing for a unified ticket claim it will benefit Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez if he were to run for Senate in 2019. The congressman has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor, especially after receiving the unanimous endorsement from the mayors of his district.

Benitez, however, earlier said he has yet to decide which position he will seek next year. He is currently on his third and final term in congress.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., who heads UNegA and is on his final term, said he would support Benitez in a senatorial run. The latter leads the Love Negros coalition./DGB, WDJ