UNegA to announce 2025 poll candidates at assembly

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer announced that the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) will hold its general assembly on September 7, 2024, to reveal its candidates for various posts in different cities and municipalities across the province in connection with the 2025 midterm elections.

Ferrer, who serves as UNegA president, reiterated to reporters on Tuesday that the alliance with Governor Eugenio Lacson’s Love Negros Team is a crucial factor in the upcoming elections.

He expressed hope that the alliance would ensure a peaceful election, emphasizing that their respective candidates, particularly for key positions, would be respected.

Ferrer also noted that the party aims to resolve potential clashes between UNegA and Love Negros candidates or among UNegA members themselves. “We don’t seem to have any problems because of the unity between UNegA and the Love Negros Team,” he added.

The vice governor mentioned that Governor Lacson would also be invited to attend the general assembly.

“We have forged unity with the Love Negros Team since 2019, so as much as possible, if we can avoid a clash, it’s better. That’s what will happen,” he pointed out.

However, he acknowledged that if conflicts cannot be resolved within the party, the area would be declared a “zona libre.”

Ferrer cited the case of Moises Padilla town, where two UNegA members, Mayor Ella Garcia and Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor, are expected to clash in the mayoralty race. He said the party would work to resolve this issue.

Regarding reports that a powerful figure is backing former Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Lea Delfinado to run against him in the fourth district congressional race, Ferrer responded, “I believe that the most powerful force is the people of the fourth district and the Almighty.”

He added that anyone qualified could run for the position, but ultimately, it is the people who will decide. “This is an election; anybody can run as long as they are qualified. We will submit ourselves to the decision of the people,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer previously announced that he would not seek a third term as vice governor but would instead return to the fourth district, where his wife, Rep. Juliet Ferrer, is serving her final term.

He also mentioned that, so far, five out of the six mayors in the fourth district have committed to supporting him.

As for the third district, an acknowledged stronghold of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who leads the Love Negros Team, Ferrer stated, “I think we have to respect the leadership of the third district.”

Mayor Benitez earlier indicated that his son, Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, would be the strongest candidate for congressman in the 2025 elections following his brother, 3rd District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, being appointed as Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).