Monday, June 11, 2018
BY CARLA P. GOMEZ

United Negros Alliance members Saturday authorized Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and former Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer to begin merger talks with Love Negros for the 2019 mid-term elections, Board Member Salvador Escalante, UNegA secretary general, said yesterday.

The UNA members held a closed-door meeting at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City to assess the recent barangay elections, tackle party matters, and discuss a possible merger with Love Negros should elections push through in 2019, he said.

"No one opposed the proposed merger, it is acceptable to all," Escalante said.

The question is what kind of merger could it be, Vice Governor Eugenio Lacson of Love Negros for governor with Ferrer as his running mate, a Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District)-Ferrer ticket, or the other way around, he said.

The final output of the meeting was the governor, as UNegA chairman, and Ferrer as party president, were given authority to negotiate with whoever will represent Love Negros as soon as possible, Escalante added.

The earlier talks begin, the better, so conflicts at the town and city level can be prevented, he said.

If no merger agreement is reached, UNegA will be forced to come up with a complete slate for 2019 by September, Escalante said.

Benitez of Love Negros said yesterday he personally welcomes merger talks with UNegA. "However, I have to ask Love Negros," he said.

Escalante said mayors present at Saturday's meeting were Marxlen de la Cruz of Salvador Benedicto, Patrick Escalante - Cadiz City, Lourdes Escalante - Manapla, Nicholas Yulo - Bago City, Luis Jalandoni - La Carlota, Jose Benito Alonso - Pontevedra, Jilson Tubillara - San Enrique, Joselito Malabor - Isabela, Rhumyla Mangilimutan - La Castellana, Cicero Borromeo - Candoni, and Ernesto Estrao - Hinoba-an.

They also have a new member mayor, Escalante said, but withheld the name.

Mayors Alfredo Marañon III of Sagay City, Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, and Emmanuel Aranda of Binalbagan, were unable to attend the meeting Saturday because of prior commitments, he said.

Rep. Juliet Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), the UNegA board members, and former mayors were also present at the meeting, Escalante said.

Board Member Alain Gatuslao could be their likely candidate for congressman of the fifth district, with Rep. Alejandro Mirasol on his last term, he added.*CPG