UNegA, Love Negros want peaceful 2022 elections; UNegA Sec-Gen updates on local politics

The United Negros Alliance (UNegA) is committed to ensure safe, peaceful and meaningful elections in the towns of Toboso and Isabela, and the entire Negros Occidental, where its members and that of Love Negros are expected to clash against each other for various elected positions in the May, 2022 polls.

The political clashes in the town’s of Toboso and Isabela will happen despite an alliance between the two political groups, UNegA Secretary-General Salvador Escalante Jr. said on Friday.

“We have already given up in these areas,” the Cadiz City mayor pointed out in an interview with newsmen in his office on August 27.
Escalante said Mayor Irene Montilla and Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr., who are members of Love Negros and UNegA, respectively, signified their intentions to run for the Isabela mayoralty post.

‘We have no choice, but to surrender,” Escalante said, adding that “it was already set in the local level.”

Earlier, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that Love Negros will choose between former mayor Evelio “Dodong” Valencia and incumbent Toboso Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome as their candidate for mayor of Toboso in the 2022 elections.

Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco (UNegA) confirmed that his wife, Madonna, niece of the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., will be running for mayor of Toboso, with former Liga ng Barangay president Maria Luisa dela Cruz, as her running mate.

“We cannot stop them, especially with the death of former Provincial Consultant (Mariano Antonio) Marton” Cui, Escalante said.

He added that there are ongoing accusations between both sides, same with the family of Malabor in Isabela.

Cui was reported to have been eyeing for the Toboso mayorship, prior to his murder.

“Who are you to impose your will? We have to adhere to the positions of the family… Napatyan to sa Isabela napatyan man sa Toboso…,” Escalante said.

He said that UNegA is committed to support the re-election bids of Himamaylan City Mayor Raymond Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao.

Lacson confirmed that Board Member Ernesto Agustin Bascon told him of his desire to run for mayor of Himamaylan.

“But there is nothing final yet, as of this time,” Lacson said.

There are 13 mayors of Negros Occidental, who are affiliated with UNegA, while the 18 other local chief executives are members of Love Negros.

Escalante said he had already signed and issued Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of UNegA candidates in Sagay, Himamaylan, and La Carlota, and the CONAs of Cadiz candidates will be signed by UNegA chairman Alfredo (Thirdy) Marañon III during the weekend.

He also reported that Toboso, Manapla and Salvador Benedicto and LGUs in the 5th district, which already completed and submitted their CONAs, are expected to be signed also.*