Tight PCL presidency race seen

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Expect a tight race in the election of officers of the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) in Negros Occidental with Love Negros Team fielding Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa.

Gamboa is a former news anchor of ABS CBN-Bacolod and the son of late Vice Governor Roy Gamboa.

The United Negros Alliance, on the other hand, is fielding Sagay City Councilor Arturo Marañon, son of former governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

6th district Rep. Genaro Alvarez, a stalwart of the Love Negros Team, said Gamboa is Love Negros Team’s bet for the PCL presidency.

Whoever wins in the election will represent the league in the provincial board currently represented by Interim President Aurelio Gareta.

When reached for comment, Gamboa said he is being considered but the party has yet to finalize the line up.

“The party is currently finalizing plans and we’re expecting Gov (Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson) to make an announcement soon. But I can’t give you any details yet until everything’s been finalized,” Gamboa said.

Alvarez also said that mayors under Love Negros are being called to support Gamboa .

He also confirmed that his grandson Ralph was first being considered to run but he declined.

Alvarez said he doesn’t want a repeat of an election between an Alvarez and a Marañon as he recalled his race for governor in 2013 against Alfredo Marañon Jr. where he lost.

“I was the only one who lost in our slate,” he lamented.

But he said the loss became a blessing in disguise because it gave him time for his business.

“And my business prospered,” Alvarez said.

He added he doesn’t want to aggravate his political differences with the Marañons so he declined the request of Love Negros Team to field his grandson.

Alvarez said the other one being considered was a close kin of former Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco.

He said the Zaycos also do not want a Zayco-Marañon fight.