Mirrors political sentiment? Only 11 of 32 mayors in “Panaad” opening

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Was the attendance of mayors at the Panaad Festival reflective of the support for Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.?

Unlike in previous years, only 11 of the 32 mayors in Negros Occidental attended the opening ceremony last Monday. All 32 mayors often attend the opening rites. 

Of the 11 mayors who attended, nine are considered Marañon allies, including Patrick Escalante of Cadiz City, Evello Valencia Jr. of Toboso, Laurence Marxlen Dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Jose Montelibano of Silay City, Jose Ma. Alonso of Pontevedra, Leo Rafael Cueva of Sagay City, Francisco Nazareno of Moises Padilla, Juliet Ferrer of La Carlota, and David Albert Lacson of E. B. Magalona.

The other two mayors are Isidro Zayco of Kabankalan and Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod.

Zayco, former governor of Negros Occidental, is allied with Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez who is challenging Marañon in the May 13 polls.

San Enrique Vice Mayor Abner Jardinico represented Mayor Mario Magno.

Meanwhile, of the six congressmen in the province, only 4th District Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer and 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez were present in the opening rites. Ferrer is an ally of Marañon, while Alvarez, daughter of Genaro, is allied with his father.

Among the 15 Board Members, only six attended, including Board Members Nehemias dela Cruz of the 1st District, Miller Serondo of the 2nd District, Manuel Frederick Ko of the 3rd District, Jose Benito Alonso of the 4th District,  Melvin Ibañez of the 5th District, and Raul Rivera (Provincial Councilors’ League).

Of the six, only Ko is allied with Alvarez. Ibañez is the running-mate of Marañon.

Media sources also said that while the 32 themed pavilions of the 13 cities and 19 municipalities are open during the weeklong Panaad Festival, some LGUs are not actively participating in several competitions.

Of the 32 LGUs, only 20 candidates are joining the Lin-ay sag Negros pageant. Only 18, including Bacolod as guest performer, had joined the Festival Dances competition yesterday.

Also attending the opening rites were former Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella who received an award as one of the founders of Panaad Festival.

Former Governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela, father of the Panaad sa Festival, under whose term Panaad was born, was also honored at the opening rites.

In her welcome message on behalf of the vice governor, Mercedes acknowledged Marañon as “honorable,” she did not address him as “governor.”

Mercedes also concluded her speech saying, “We love Negros,” apparently referring to the platform of his father, “LOVE NEGROS.”

When it was Marañon’s turn to address the crowd estimated to reach 10,000, the governor did not mention Alvarez’s name. He only referred to him as the “vice governor.”  /JMO (FREEMAN)