Arnaiz or degamo?: LP split on who to back for Negros Oriental gov

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party stalwart, former Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo recently said the party has been divided over who it will support for governor of Negros Oriental in the 2016 elections: Representative George Arnaiz of the 2nd district or incumbent Governor Roel Degamo.

Remollo, who is planning himself to run again for city mayor, said Arnaiz may remain a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, but some LP members are backing him up for the governorship bid.

The group of former 1st district Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong was also reportedly supporting Arnaiz, said Remollo, adding that Arnaiz will never leave the NPC and therefore could not be the official bet of the LP.

Degamo, on the other hand, has the support of the Remollo’s LP faction in the province, but then he could not be LP’s official candidate unless he joins the party himself.

“If Degamo wants to be an LP, that is his prerogative,” Remollo said, as he raised the possibility that the party-less Degamo might be the LP’s official candidate after all.

Remollo however pointed out the possibility of a free zone in Negros Oriental where two candidates for governor are being supported by two different groups of the LP.

He cited a worse situation in the lone district of Siquijor province where at least three potential candidates are members of the same party. “This would lead to a declaration of a free-zone,” he said.

Remollo added he was still waiting for the final say, between now and end of September, of the LP national leadership on his desire to run for mayor of Dumaguete. —Juancho R. Gallarde (FREEMAN)