‘Albee plan first before merger talks’
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he prefers to wait for the decision of Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) on whether he will run for senator or governor before Love Negros begins merger talks with the United Negros Alliance.
“We cannot speak of a merger when we don’t even have a candidate of our own choice,” he said.
The United Negros Alliance, in a June 9 meeting, gave Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and former Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, party chairman and president, respectively, authority to begin merger talks with Love Negros, Board Member Salvador Escalante said.
Lacson, on the other hand, said no date has been set yet on the planned Love Negros meeting ontheirplans for 2019 and merger talks.
The results of a new national survey on possible 2019 senatorial bets is expected next month and we will wait for that, he said, noting that Benitez’s ranking in the surveys has been improving, from No. 32 in the very first one to No. 19.
The survey results could guide Benitez in his decision, nothing is definite yet, Lacson added.
Lacson said if Benitez runs for governor, a possible option for him is to seek reelection as vice governor, which would have to be discussed in a Love Negros meeting.*CPG