Mayor: Arroyo-Lesaca wants to continue her brother’s legacy

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor yesterday confirmed Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca, sister of former Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Arroyo, Jr., who passed away in 2012, transferred her voter registration last week from Binalbagan to Isabela, both towns are located within the fifth congressional district.

The mayor pointed out, he personally accompanied Arroyo-Lesaca to the local Commission on Elections office and said she will be living in the town’s Barangay 2, in a home owned by the late congressman.

He said the move is an indication she plans to run for office in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections, noting, Arroyo-Lesaca made it clear she wants to “continue the legacy” left by her brother.

Arroyo served from 2004 until his passing in 2012, when he was replaced by incumbent Rep. Alejandro Mirasol, who is currently serving his third and final term.

Amid a crowded field of potential candidates, Malabor called her candidacy a “welcome development,” adding, La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan and Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda will likely lend support to her campaign.

Among other names mentioned as possible congressional candidates include Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Alain Gatuslao, Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña, and Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Bascon./DGB, WDJ