NPC kicks out Negros lawmaker

BACOLOD City, Philippines – The national directorate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has removed Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer from its list of members and has withdrawn its certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for his re-election bid in 2013.

This was confirmed yesterday by Ferrer himself; Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco, NPC provincial chairman; and Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez.

“I respect the decision of the party. I’m even thankful to the leadership of NPC for giving me the opportunity to be part of the party for quite a long time,” Ferrer told The STAR in a text message yesterday. 

Ferrer, who used to be associated with NPC founder Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., is supporting the re-election bid of incumbent Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. in next year’s elections.

Marañon is being opposed by incumbent Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., who was endorsed by Cojuangco as the official NPC candidate. 

Marañon, who used to be the NPC provincial chairman before he was replaced by Zayco recently, is running under the United Negros Alliance, another party founded by Cojuangco.   

“It is okay with me, it’s no big deal. I’m now with the United Negros Alliance,” Ferrer said. 

Suarez also revealed that Ferrer is no longer an NPC candidate, but that he has two party nominations – from NPC and United Negros Alliance. 

Suarez said this is the first time in Negros Occidental that a national party has withdrawn its nomination for its candidate. 

Ferrer, who is seeking his third and last term in the 2013 polls, said the NPC’s withdrawal of its nomination would not affect his candidacy.

“It will only affect me if the people will not vote for me,” he said.

“With or without a party, my intention to serve the people of the fourth district will continue. This is now the time that I can prove to my constituents that my loyalty lies on them and not to any national party,” he added. 

Ferrer said that while the NPC national directorate has withdrawn its CONA for him, the party cannot replace him as its congressional candidate because he has not withdrawn his candidacy. 

Suarez said he received a letter from NPC president Frisco San Juan on Tuesday stating that the NPC “had resolved to withdraw the nomination of Jeffrey Ferrer in accordance to the recommendation of the local chapter.” San Juan added that the withdrawal of nomination was effective immediately. 

Suarez said, “It is not within our power to determine the reason behind the withdrawal.”

The function of the Comelec is to receive and submit documents to the agency’s law department for proper action, he said.

For his part, Zayco said the reason “might be that the congressman (Ferrer) is not supporting the candidacy of Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr.” 

Zayco denied allegations that the order to kick out Ferrer came from Cojuangco. “I don’t know about that,” he said. 

Alvarez, on the other hand, said, “We cannot do anything about that,” adding that the decision came from Manila. 

Alvarez said grounds for withdrawal of party nomination include the non-support for the candidate of the party or issuance of statements against the party. 

Meanwhile, Marañon, chairman of the United Negros Alliance, refused to comment on NPC’s move against Ferrer since he is not a party official. 

Marañon said it would not affect the candidacy of Ferrer. “Now he can concentrate with United Negros Alliance,” he said.