NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said former board member Patrick Lacson is doing a premature move that could create an impression that there is a power struggle within the Love Negros group.
The vice governor made this reaction after movement to convince 3rd District Representative Alfredo Benitez to run for governor in the 2019 elections launched by the former official.
"I respect the sentiments of board member Patrick Lacson. What I regret is that it may give the impression that there is a power struggle within the Love Negros group. He could have shared his sentiments directly to Rep. Benitez because as I have been telling the media that the congressman and I have been talking. In fact, I have even reached out to the mayors in the third district and we talked about the 2019 scenario," the vice governor pointed out.
After their meeting, Benitez also sat down with the mayors, he added.
"We could resolve this internally and to publicly state his opinion is premature," Lacson emphasized.
When Love Negros has chosen its candidate for governor in 2019, then we go public and ask for the support of the Negrenses, he added.
Benitez in several interviews would not yet reveal his concrete future political plans. He said his options are open.
The lawmaker has been busy going around the country after his name was reportedly included in the senatorial line-up of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for the 2019 elections, however, mayors from the third district has been asking him to run for governor.
The vice governor has also announced publicly that one of his options is to run for governor in 2019, but he is still waiting for the decision of Benitez where he will base his next move.
The former board member has posted on his Facebook account Monday that he believes the Provincial Government under the administration of Benitez will cut short economic development from decades to just years.
"May I be the first to publicly sign, Albee Benitez for Governor in 2019," the former official said on his Facebook account.
"We love Negros. We had all dreamed for this land to be blessed, we all held hands and prayed Hope shine on Negros. We defended and fought for Negros with our lives. So as far as the provincial economy, and basic services, and our local industries. I am confident enough that my opinion will count, on who's to lead our province after Governor Alfredo Marañon's term?" the former board member further said.
Marañon's third and final term will end in 2019.
"Let us all be a part of this great historical change an Albee Benitez Leadership can bring about Negros Occidental," he said adding "why look at other provinces and get left behind when we can even do better? This may be our one big chance, now I do not mean to disrespect anyone, politicians and their leaders, nor do I mean to disrespect Cong. Albee Benitez, after all, the decision will be his."
