Grace Ibuna, Arroyo sister, 7 others eyeing Iggy's post

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Grace Ibuna, former Kasangga Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo and seven others are now being floated as potential candidates for the congressional seat of the 5th district in Negros Occidental, vacated by Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, who died last Jan. 26 in London.

Besides Ibuna, who was Iggy’s long-time companion, and Ma. Lourdes, Iggy’s sister, the list mentioned 5th district Provincial Board Members Melvin Ibañez and Emilio Yulo III, Binalbagan town Mayor Alejandrino Mirasol, Isabela Mayor Francis Malabor, former congressman Apolinario Lozada Jr., former PB Member Enrique Montilla and former Moises Padilla Councilor Dolly Yasa.

Ibañez said on Monday he is willing to run for congressman of the 5th District, if a special elections were to be held, as might be declared by Congress.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., chairman of the United Negros Alliance (UNA), the dominant local political party in Negros Occidental, said that Ibañez had met with him to signify his intention to run for the post.

Mirasol said his decision to run will depend on whom UNA names to field for the position. He said he will abide by the party’s decision on whoever it chooses, while Yulo said that if an election is held, he would seriously consider running for the post.

Earlier reports said the House of Representatives will most likely call for a special election to elect the successor of Iggy. “We will approve a resolution asking the Comelec to conduct a special election in Iggy’s district, although it will depend on whether it has funds for such purpose,” Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Friday however said he saw no need for a special election, and he will act as caretaker of Iggy’s district until he appoints somebody to attend to its needs.

“I think we have passed the midway mark, before that, it is advisable to have an election, but after that, it may be no longer be feasible to have one because, by the time it is done, the congressman’s term would be nearing its end (in 2013),” he said.

Belmonte pointed out that it would take the Comelec at least three months before it can conduct a special election. He said that, if elections are held three months from now, whoever wins will be able to sit as congressman of the 5th district probably only by July after the House has gone on recess, giving that person very little time to serve, anyway, with the next elections set in May 2013.

Belmonte said he may instead designate a caretaker to attend to the projects and other needs of the fifth district.

Representatives Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) and Mercedes Alvarez (6th district) have expressed willingness to be the caretaker of the 5th District.