Escalante: Gatuslao is still Unega’s bet in Fifth District

SECOND District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., secretary-general of United Negros Alliance (Unega), clarified yesterday that Board Member Alain Gatuslao is still their official candidate for congressman in the Fifth District.

“It is unlikely that Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will withdraw his endorsement of Board Alain,” Escalante said.

Escalante made the clarification after Love Negros announced they will support Marilou Arroyolesaca, sister of the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo and sister-in-law of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-arroyo, as congressman for the Fifth District.

There are also speculations that Gatuslao is may not continue with his candidacy as an arrangement between his father, former assemblyman Tony Gatuslao and the Arroyos because of his closeness to the family

being the former legislativeexecutive officer of the former president.

Board member Gatuslao has yet to issue his official statement on the matter.

Most of the incumbent mayors of the localities in the Fifth District who are members of Unega are also expected to support Arroyolesaca as they were allies of the late congressman.

“We already knew about it. However, we still have supporters and party machinery to campaign for Board Alain,” Escalante said.*

TERESA ELLERA FIFTH District Board Member Alain Gatuslao (right) with his brother, Councilor and vice mayoral bet Justin Gatuslao (second to the right), former Himamaylan City vice mayor and mayoral bet Raymond Tongson (second from left) and his father, former assemblyman Tony Gatuslao.