PCL presidency race no more

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – There will be no more race for the presidency of the Philippine Councilors League in the province of Negros Occidental.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday doused cold water on speculations on the supposed encounter of “big names” who will vie for the PCL presidency.

Lacson said they will announce in due time the matter of the PCL leadership.

Egged on whether there will be an encounter, Lacson, who is head of the Love Negros Team said “in the spirit of the coalition we don’t want any engkwentro.”

He said it will be a decision supported by the group.

The PCL presidency race became controversial after La Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin Assistio aired his interest to run for the post.

Assistio is the son of 4th district Rep. Juliet Ferrer.

His intention to run as PCL president was revealed by Mayor Salvador Escalante recently.

While he has not yet personally talked to Asistio, Escalante said the information was relayed to him by United Negros Alliance (UNegA) chairman, 2nd district Rep. Alfredo Marañon III.

Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa is the incumbent PCL-Negros Occidental president. He sits as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Gamboa was supported by Love Negros, which is affiliated with Lacson, during the PCL- Negros Occidental elections in 2019.

Escalante said UnegA members are slated to meet during the second week of this month to discuss not only the local PCL, but also the League of Municipalities of the Philippines provincial chapter, as well as the Association of Chief Executive elections.