By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and the Association of Chief Executives-Negros Occidental (ACE-NegOcc) have expressed their full support for Board Member Richard Julius Sablan’s candidacy for presidency in the Liga ng mga Barangay in Western Visayas, as confirmed by Victorias City Mayor and ACE-NegOcc president Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez.
Benitez and Sablan recently met with Lacson at the provincial capitol, seeking his official backing for his candidacy.
Benitez expressed optimism that Sablan might run unopposed, and if successful, it would mark a historic moment for the province in securing the regional presidency.
The Liga ng mga Barangay regional election is scheduled in Iloilo next month, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s calendar of activities.
Benitez revealed plans to accompany Sablan to Aklan, where they will meet Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, local officials and counterparts.
Sablan will also be introduced to Guimaras Governor JC Rhaman Nava over the weekend.
Sablan, who ran unopposed in the recent provincial Liga elections, aims to bring programs to the regional level once elected as the regional Liga president.
Currently serving as the Liga president of Victorias City, Sablan is poised to extend his leadership to the broader regional context./DGB, WDJ