Vice Gov. Alvarez may run for guv in 2013

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. said he might run for governor in the 2013 elections if Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will not seek reelection, otherwise he will only go for reelection to the same post.

Alvarez said he is qualified to run for governor only if chosen by the United Negros Alliance (UNA), the dominant local coalition of officials in this province, where he and Marañon belong.

In a related but separate interview, Marañon described Alvarez plan as “very good.” When asked however if he will seek reelection, the governor said he will still have to get the pulse of the people to see if they still want him for governor.

Both Alvarez and Marañon meanwhile denied they talked about 2013 politics, like the UNA lineup, with former Ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco in Manila last week. “There was no discussion about politics. It was purely a social visit,” the governor said.

Cojuangco, who formed the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), is reportedly a kingmaker in Negros Occidental, and the founder of UNA that backed Marañon’s gubernatorial campaign in 2010.

Marañon, meanwhile, also denied talks that there will be swapping of positions among them in 2013, such that he will run for congressman in the 2nd District, while his son, incumbent Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III will run for vice governor in tandem with Alvarez for governor.

“That won’t happen because Thirdy is not amenable. Besides, I am not interested to run for congressman again because I don’t want to live in Manila anymore,” said the governor. - THE FREEMAN