Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson thanked the Negrenses for their “overwhelming show of support” as he won his third and last term in the midterm elections.

“I thank you with all my heart for your unwavering trust and confidence. Once again, you have chosen to entrust me this great honor of leading our beloved province,” Lacson said, as he was proclaimed the winner by the Provincial Board of Canvassers led by Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City on Tuesday afternoon, May 13.

A member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and leader of the Love Negros coalition, he garnered 911,614 votes, a landside win against four opponents, among them former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, fielded by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban.

Saying he is “praying for God’s unending grace and guidance” as he serves his final term, Lacson said his victory is “a testament to his shared hopes and aspirations” with the people of Negros Occidental.

“This overwhelming show of support, given to me by our people, is as humbling as it is affirming. To me, it means that my fellow Negrenses have recognized our hard work and felt the sincerity of our service,” he added.

Lacson’s running mate, Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, was elected vice governor for the first time, with 680,339 votes against lone opponent Rosemarie Dreyfus.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer won his bid to return as congressman of the Fourth District, obtaining 130,023 votes to defeat former Assistant Secretary Lea Delfinado of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, who got 72,503 votes.

“As I leave the Office of the Vice Governor, I do so with a joyful spirit, knowing that the incoming Vice Governor Joeben Alonso is equally capable of leading the Provincial Board alongside Governor Bong Lacson, who has guided our province onward,” Ferrer said in a statement. (PNA)