By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Despite the merger between local political coalitions, the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and Love Negros, the two sides will be battling for Negros Occidental Philippine Councilors’ League president with UNegA fielding Sagay City Councilor Arturo Marañon and Love Negros represented by former ABS-CBN Bacolod news anchor Ryan Gamboa, who currently serves as a Silay City councilor.
Both candidates have a family history in Negros Occidental politics with Marañon being the son of former Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Gamboa’s father, Roy Gamboa, previously served as vice governor.
Following Marañon’s nomination, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer earlier expressed hopes that he would run unopposed.
The winner earns a seat on the Negros Occidental provincial board.
Additionally, in an earlier statement Ferrer affirmed there are no “political lines” within the present provincial board./DGB, WDJ