By Dolly Yaaa
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental disclosed that Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, president of the United Negros Alliance (UnegA), will soon formally announce the party’s vice gubernatorial candidate for the May 2025 elections.
Escalante, who serves as UnegA’s secretary general, revealed in a phone interview on Thursday that the party’s general assembly is scheduled to occur within the next week.
Previously, Abang Lingkod party list Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano declared that Board Member Jose Benito Alonso has been selected as UnegA’s vice gubernatorial candidate, running alongside incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Governor Lacson has confirmed his candidacy for a third term in next year’s elections.
UNegA, under the leadership of its chairman, Rep. Alfredo Marañon III from the 2nd district of Negros Occidental, recognizes Alonso as a leading candidate.
Alonso, former mayor of Pontevedra, has been a prominent choice for the vice gubernatorial slot following Ferrer’s hint at a possible return to Congress representing the 4th district of Negros Occidental.
The selection of Alonso has dispelled speculation about other potential candidates, including Paduano, Board Member Andrew Montelibano, and La Castellana Mayor Amelia Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan.
