TERESA D. ELLERA
September 24, 2018

THE leadership of Love Negros finally announced on Sunday, September 23, that Vice Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson will be the party's standard bearer in the province for the 2019 elections.

Third District Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez in a press conference at Jay-Js Restaurant in Bacolod City also announced that Love Negros has officially accepted the merger with rival United Negros Alliance (Unega).

A joint press conference of Love Negros and Unega which Benitez proposed to be named “Love Negros First” will be held in the next few days after the meeting in Manila of the Negros officials this week.

"We have accepted the merger. I've heard through media the statement of the Governor that they are willing that Love Negros will field the candidate for governor and they will field the candidate for vice governor," Benitez said.

Lacson, for his part, said Benitez, who will temporarily retire from politics, will help the province attract investors.

"Albee will be like a magnet to attract investors to the province. He will have all the time to move around not only all over the country but the world and definitely the province of Negros Occidental will be at the forefront as far as attracting investors is concerned," Lacson said.

Benitez said the reason for the merger is for the sake of development and progress of the province because of the unity of the leaders. "We will do away with politics," Benitez said.

Also present during the press conference on Sunday were Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Golez, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr., Murcia Vice Mayor Jerry Rojas, Hinigaran Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo, San Carlos City Vice Mayor Renato Gustilo, and Third District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko.

When asked about reports that some mayors who are members of Love Negros have been pushing for Benitez for governor, Lacson said there are really mayors who prefer Benitez but the turning point was when the congressman decided that he will give way and now that Love Negros would be committed to the tandem in the 2019 elections.

Benitez said he made the decision for the sake of the province. "We have Vice Governor who is really hands-on the affairs of the province and could focus most of his time for the province. We will try to find ways to properly develop the province and we need a livelihood. We need jobs and it can only happen when investments would come in the province," he said.

Benitez also explained that this is also one of the reasons why he came up with the One Visayas ”which is one way to entice investors into the province and ensure development with more jobs for our constituents.”

Benitez rallied the Visayas leaders to unite for economic cooperation, inclusive growth and development and political unity.