UNegA dominates Provincial Board
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Despite the reported alliance between local political coalitions United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and Love Negros, according to the latest results from the Commission on Elections, the latter has captured a majority of mayoral posts in Negros Occidental, winning 17 of a total 31 seats.
However, UNegA dominates the Negros Occidental Provincial Board, which will be presided over by Vice Governor-elect Jeffrey Ferrer, an UNegA member.
Meanwhile, the two parties evenly split the province’s six legislative districts.
This past election saw several candidates run unopposed.
Ferrer was without an opponent after independent candidate Raul Sayson Baterna withdrew his candidacy; and outgoing Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Alain Gatuslao backed out of a race for fifth district congressman after Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca, the sister of former Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Arroyo, Jr., entered the race.
Meanwhile, incumbent Negros Occidental second district Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva also ran unopposed; and Dr. Francisco Benitez succeeded his brother, outgoing Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez./DGB, WDJ