Negros Occ mayor moves from NPC to LP

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol has moved from Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) to the Liberal Party, the first mayor from NPC to do so.

Mirasol took his oath as LP member, together with 11 other Negros Occidental mayors, before LP president Mar Roxas at the party’s provincial convention last weekend.

He said that, since last year, he already thought of transferring to LP and had even planned to take his oath in Manila. But since the provincial convention and oath-taking will be in Negros, he deemed it best to take his oath here.

Other Binalbagan officials who also joined the LP were Vice Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, and Councilors Samuel Gavaran, Roberto Villasis, Manuel Villafranca Jr., Ma. Luningning Reyes, Norberto Morano, Henry Tajonera, Simplicio Balangao Jr., and ABC President Richel Abalona.

Mirasol is the first mayor in Negros Occidental to have declared publicly his support for President Aquino in the 2010 elections. The LP is endorsing his candidacy for congressman in the 5th District in a special election on June 2 to replace the late congressman Iggy Arroyo. The United Negros Alliance (UNA), of which Mirasol is a member, is also endorsing his candidacy.

So far, Mirasol’s possible contender is 5th District Provincial Board Member Emilio Yulo III, who is his nephew. The filing of certificates of candidacy for the special election is on May 14 to 16.

Mirasol said he continues to visit the barangays of the 5th District, despite a petition to postpone the special poll.

Last week, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal reiterated his request for the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the Comelec’s holding of the special elections.

Macalintal, in an urgent motion, said there is an “imperative need” to issue the TRO since the filing of certificates of candidacy for the special election will start on May 14. He said a “caretaker” can just be appointed “to represent the constituents of the district.”

This will “prevent the apparent waste of public funds for a political issue which could easily be resolved by the designation of a ‘caretaker,’” he said. —(FREEMAN)