NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he doesn’t see a conflict in some of his allies joining the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Mayors from the Third District were the latest officials in the province who will join the administration party.
Third District is composed of the cities of Victorias, Silay, and Talisay, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Murcia, whose mayors were allied with their congressman, Alfredo Benitez, who is already a PDP-Laban member.
Benitez and Lacson lead the opposition Love Negros in the province.
“We’re in constant communication with Congressman Albee (Benitez). Love Negros is a group whose members belong to different national parties. I don’t think there will be a conflict especially with the Third District alliance,” said Lacson, who belongs to the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).
Lacson said that NPC members in the province have decided to remain with the party.
They are Mayors Isidro Zayco of Kabankalan City, NPC provincial chairman; Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod City; Oscar Montilla Jr. of Sipalay City; Gerardo Valmayor Jr. of San Carlos City; Eddie Montero of Escalante City; Araceli Somosa of Calatrava; Jerry Tabujara of Cauayan; and Genaro Rafael Alvarez of Ilog.
Congressmen who belonged to NPC are Melecio Yap Jr. of First District, Mercedes Alvarez of Sixth District; and Greg Gasataya of Bacolod City.
“There’s no word that they are leaving NPC,” Lacson said.
“First, there’s no reason why we should leave NPC because the party has already a coalition with PDP-Laban. In short, we declared that we will support the programs of the President,” the vice governor said.
He added: “As much as possible, I don’t like to be jumping around whoever is seated in Malacañang. I would rather stay in one party. I wouldn’t say for life, but I’m very happy with NPC.”
The oath-taking rites for new PDP-Laban members in the province led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will be held on September 17 at the Nature's Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City.