THE impending alliance of the two major political groups in Negros Occidental - the United Negros Alliance (Unega) and Love Negros - looks bleak as the elections of the Barangay League in the province, which will be on July 30, seemed to complicate things.
Both groups are poised to field their particular candidates in the league.
Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., Unega secretary-general, lamented that rival group Love Negros will field a candidate against their bet, incumbent League president Anabelle Bermudo, in the poll.
"There is no negotiation yet. But since Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is hellbent on running for governor, he can negotiate to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to give way to Bermudo, being an incumbent, and when he becomes governor, they will have their bet for the position," Escalante said.
Love Negros will field Jovie Tepillo of Barangay Daan Banwa, Victorias City against Bermudo for the presidency of the League.
"That's the essence of this League election. We are talking of unity but then we are also fighting under the table. So what kind of unity can we expect? I hope our leaders could see that," Escalante said.
In response, Lacson clarified that the Liga elections has nothing to do with the next year's polls.
"It is a totally different scenario. If there is one candidate, so be it. But if there is a challenger then we cannot stop a challenger for that matter," Lacson said.
Lacson said he has no problem with Bermudo as a member of the Provincial Board.
Whoever sits should be ready to perform, the vice governor said.
For Escalante, Lacson, being the incumbent vice governor and reportedly has the backing of President Rodrigo Duterte, will be a force to reckon with if he decides to run for governor.
"If you read between the lines, he has dined several times with the President and not any Negrosanon spent that much time with the President. He has so much leverage with the President," Escalante pointed out.
Politics in Negros Occidental is always interesting. All we need is a popcorn.