By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The top political leaders of the province of Negros Occidental on Friday re-affirmed their coalition days before the start of the local campaign on March 25, 2022.
In a press conference at the Capitol social hall, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer brushed aside speculations that their political coalition is falling apart because they support different presidential bets in the May 2022 polls.
Lacson said that with him supporting Robredo and Ferrer leading the local support for former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “it is easy to sow intrigues.”
“We are making it clear that as far as the local coalition in the province is concerned, we remain solid,” Lacson pointed out.
He added that they will not allow “the presidential elections to break this coalition.”
“We will respect each other’s choices but very important is for the local coalition to remain. Let us remember that, after the campaign period it will just pass. Here at the local level, we are together 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s not easy to form a coalition. And so, we will not allow the national elections to break this local coalition. Let us show to the world that here in Negros Occidental we can have different choices but locally we remain intact,” the governor added.
Ferrer said that he “respects the decision and choice of the governor.”
“We know that he also respects my choice and that of the 28 mayors who signified their support for BBM,” he said.
Ferrer also called on their supporters to respect their unity at the local level.
Lacson cited the 2016 election when he ran for vice governor against Ferrer which he won.
“That was among the most intense competition, but we were together in 2019. It’s because of the way we respected each other in 2016,” he added.
To those who want to sow intrigues and cause division between us, Lacson said “Here we are. Let them try.”
