Vice guv won't campaign for UNA's Mirasol or Yulo

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. will not campaign for Binalbagan Mayor Alejandrino Mirasol, the United Negros Alliance (UNA) bet in the June 2 special elections for congressional seat in the 5th District, vacated by the late Iggy Arroyo.

Alvarez, an UNA member, said he will not take side with Mirasol and neither with Provincial Board Member Emilio Yulo III, Mirasol ’s nephew who is also running for the post. “I will just pray for both of them,” Alvarez said, adding that both are his friends.

Mirasol has been endorsed by UNA, the biggest coalition of local political parties in Negros Occidental, consisting of majority of incumbent officials. He was also endorsed by the Liberal Party for being the first Negros Occidental mayor to have publicly declared his support to President Benigno Aquino III in the 2010 elections.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., for his part, said that as UNA chairperson he will campaign for Mirasol and will join the campaign trail to endorse the latter, although he could do full time through the campaign period because of other works at the Capitol.

Marañon said that, so far, only Mirasol and Yulo are vying for the congressional seat, although there may be others who may be interested and will be known in the last day of the filing of candidacy.

Possible candidates like PB Member Melvin Ibañez and Iggy’s sister Ma. Lourdes “Marilou” Arroyo-Lesaca have earlier backed out of the race. Iggy’s companion, Grace Ibuna, who was also earlier rumored to be running for the post, is supporting the bid of Mirasol.

Former PB Member Enrique Montilla earlier expressed interest in joining the congressional race, but has yet to make a statement about his plans.

Alvarez, a relative of Montilla, said it is too late now for the latter to run for the vacated position, with the reported filing of candidacy to start next month.

Of the five mayors in the 5th district, four were reportedly supporting the bid of Mirasol. They are Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar, Moises Padilla Mayor Francisco Nazareno, Isabela Mayor Francis Malabor, and La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor.

Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, an UNA member, pledged his support for Yulo, a cousin of his wife, saying family is more important than politics. - THE FREEMAN