By JEN BAYLON

Members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Negros Occidental’s 4th District are expected to be divided in their support for congressional candidates in the 2025 midterm elections.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that NPC members — who are also part of the local alliances, Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (Unega) — are likely to back Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who is eyeing a return as 4th District representative.

NPC members who are not affiliated with these allied political groups are expected to support Lea Delfinado, who is the official candidate of their party.

Lacson said the NPC’s national office has recognized the merger between Love Negros and Unega since 2019.

‘Very surprising’

Meanwhile, Lacson was surprised over former Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez’s decision to run for mayor of Kabankalan City.

Alvarez’s last-minute filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, October 8, the final day of submission, was “very surprising,” Lacson said.

Former Governor Isidro Zayco, NPC provincial chairman and official candidate, had also filed his COC for the mayoral position.

Despite being an NPC member, Alvarez is running as an independent candidate.

Lacson said he will support Zayco but hopes that the political situation in Kabankalan can still be resolved.

Aside from Alvarez and Zayco, five other candidates, including incumbent Mayor Benjie Miranda, are also running for Kabankalan mayor.

Meanwhile, Lacson also affirmed his support for Alvarez’s daughter, Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang, in her candidacy for 6th District representative./JB, WDJ