BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Provincial Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson did not deny the pronouncement of a city mayor here that he is supporting Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 presidential polls but did not directly announce that he will back Robredo as the campaign for national candidates go into full swing.
Lacson said in an interview with reporters at the Capitol here, that he respects former First District solon Julio Ledesma IV who had declared his support for the Uniteam of Robredo’s stiffest rival, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Ledesma, the second billionaire-member of the House of Representatives in 2016, was reportedly joined by some mayors of the five local government units belonging to the district in swinging their support to the unified slate of Marcos and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte of Lakas-CMD.
The question posed by a reporter as transcribed by DNX was “Gov, na mention ni Mayor Gustilo nga Leni ka… ano imo mahambal (Gov, Mayor Gustilo mentioned you are backing Leni… what can you say?) to which he replied: “former Congressman Jules Ledesma manifested his support for the Uniteam along with mayors in the First District, It’s okay that’s their personal choice, they campaign for their candidates , I’ll campaign to mine, according to Mayor Gustilo, kay Leni ako (I am for Leni).”
Lacson was referring to San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo who had declared this month that Lacson, a native of and former mayor of San Carlos, is supporting Robredo.
Lacson had also earlier said that he will not announce the name of his presidential bet but would just the “right” leader during the polls.
Negros Occidental has less than two million voters for the 2022 polls, making it the fifth vote-rich province in the country, according to government statistics.
