By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he, alongside third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, will make a joint announcement regarding plans for local political coalition Love Negros in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

In a radio interview, Lacson revealed he spoke with Benitez Tuesday night and both agreed to make a joint public statement by the end of September.

Lacson said the unification talks between their group and the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) are still ongoing.

He also affirmed earlier pronouncements by Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, saying, on a unity ticket, a candidate from Love Negros would run for governor and an UNegA candidate would run for vice governor.

However, Lacson did not specify if he would run for governor.

Earlier, Benitez reportedly revealed he was no longer interested in running for Senate in 2019, although Love Negros officials hope he runs for governor./DGB, WDJ