Love Negros-backed Pepillo: The result is a ‘baseline’ for 2019

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Love Negros-backed Barangay 9 Captain Jovie Pepillo of Victorias City ousted incumbent Negros Occidental Liga ng mga Barangay (Liga) President Anabelle Bermudo of La Carlota City, earning 19 out of 31 votes during elections held yesterday morning at the Seda Hotel in Bacolod City.
When asked if the result is an indicator of the 2019 midterm elections, she noted, “I think this is already a baseline of the 2019 election.”
Bermudo was backed by the United Negros Alliance, led by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.
The Victorias City barangay official, who will sit as an ex-officio member of the Negros Occidental Provincial Board, thanked her political coalition, including Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Pepillo said she will support the campaign against illegal drugs in the barangays.
The winning candidate’s allies also won other provincial Liga positions, with Benjie Sian winning vice president; Ma. Misil Hilario as auditor; and Romar Cabral, Anthonio Medinceles, Anthony Wee, Aristotle Tuvilla, Jostarr Bandojo, Lorenzo Suatengco, Rome Vargas, and Rosalita Arsenal named to the board of directors.
After their proclamation, the winners were immediately sworn into office./DGB, WDJ