LOCAL ALLIES. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer flash the "L" and the "V" signs, signifying their support to Vice President Leni Robredo and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., respectively, for the May 9 presidential elections. Both officials have affirmed their local coalition, saying they respect each other’s choices, during a press conference held at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City on Friday (March 4, 2022). (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY – The top two officials of Negros Occidental have affirmed their unity in local politics despite supporting different presidential candidates in the May 9 elections.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who supports Vice President Leni Robredo, and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who is backing Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., issued the declaration in a joint press conference held at the Capitol Social Hall here on Friday.
“It’s not easy to form a coalition. We will not allow the presidential elections to break this coalition. We respect each other’s choices. Let’s show to the world that here in Negros Occidental, we can have different choices but locally, we remain intact,” the governor said.
Both seeking reelection for a second term, Lacson belongs to the Love Negros party while Ferrer is with the United Negros Alliance.
The two local political parties have formed a coalition to field common candidates in the majority of the cities, municipalities, and districts.
Earlier this week, Lacson announced his support to Robredo days after Ferrer hosted Marcos and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s motorcade and grand rally in Negros Occidental and this capital city.
During the press conference, the governor said that given their situation, “it is easy to sow intrigues”.
“We are making it clear that as far as the coalition in the province of Negros Occidental is concerned, we remain solid,” he added.
Lacson pointed out while the presidential elections will just pass, local officials will be “together 24/7, 365 days a year”.
“The governor and the vice governor will just enjoy ourselves in this campaign period and we encourage everybody to enjoy. Every national candidate who comes here and you are rooting for them, come out,” he added.
Ferrer said he hopes that as he respects the choice of the governor, the people will also respect his support for Marcos together with the 28 out of the 31 mayors in the Negros Occidental.
“We will also respect all the national candidates coming here. We will not throw bad words at them because Negrosanons are peaceful and loving people. In the local level, we are united. We have a solid unity,” he added.
Ferrer, a former congressman of the 4th District, is married to the district’s current Rep. Juliet Ferrer, granddaughter of the late Ambassador Roberto Salas Benedicto, a known ally of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (PNA)
