By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After earlier speculation suggesting former ABS-CBN Bacolod news anchor Ryan Gamboa, who currently serves as a Silay City councilor, would be Love Negros’ candidate for Negros Occidental Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) president, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson recently confirmed the city official would be the party’s nominee in the race, where he will face Sagay City Councilor Arturo Marañon of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA).
The winner earns a seat on the Negros Occidental provincial board.
Earlier, former Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez said he believes Gamboa would make a “capable” provincial board member.
Both Lacson and Benitez are members of Love Negros, which earlier merged with UNegA.
For Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, a member of UNegA, he said, “May the best man win.”
Meanwhile, UNega secretary-general, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr., confirmed their coalition would be fielding San Enrique Mayor Jerson Tubillara for Negros Occidental League of Municipalities of the Philippines president.
He faces Love Negros’ candidate, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, in that race.
Escalante reiterated that the two local coalitions are still merged, noting, “It just so happened that a mayor from UNegA is interested in running; the same with the PCL.”/DGB, WDJ