Two-way fight

THE congressional race in the Fifth District took an interesting turn after Love Negros declared its support to Marilou Arroyo-lesaca, sister-in-law of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagalarroyo.

Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano said Love Negros came into the decision following the meeting of its top officials, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez, met with some of the candidates.

In the meeting, the leaders decided to endorse Arroyo-lesaca for congresswoman and Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Carmenia Bascon for mayor.

Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, who was not aware of the development, was earlier named as Love Negros candidate for the congressional seat in the Fifth District.

With this, the battle for congressman will be between Arroyo-lesaca and Board Member Alain Gatuslao, son of former assemblyman Tony Gatuslao who used to serve as the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer during the term of Macapagal-arroyo, of the United Negros Alliance (Unega).

Gatuslao has yet to comment on the reported congressional bid of Arroyo-lesaca.

Unega through its secretary-general, Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr., said that Gatuslao is still their official candidate for congressman in the Fifth District.

Escalante said it is unlikely that Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. will withdraw his endorsement to Gatuslao.

Most of the incumbent mayors of the cities and municipalities in the Fifth District who are members of Unega are expected to support Arroyo-lesaca as they were allies of her brother, the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo.

However, Escalante remained unfazed. He said that the party has supporters and machinery to campaign for Gatuslao.

May the best man, or woman, wins.*