By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Former Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer is officially running unopposed in the upcoming 2019 elections after independent candidate Raul Sayson Baterna withdrew his candidacy for vice governor.

A formal statement of withdrawal was received by the Commission on Elections provincial office in Bacolod City earlier this week.

Baterna did not provide a reason for backing out of the race.

Despite Baterna’s withdrawal, Ferrer’s running mate, incumbent Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson still faces Atty. Rolandon Parpa for governor.

Last month, both Lacson and Ferrer, under the presumption of running unopposed, vowed to campaign regardless./DGB, WDJ