Negros Occidental gov eyeing last term with new running mate
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) and 4th District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso formally introduce their tandem for the top Capitol posts in the Mayor 2025 midterm elections. Lacson, who is seeking a third and last term, and Alonso, who is running for vice governor for the first time, filed their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City Thursday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2024. | PHOTO: Carla Gomez / Philippine Daily Inquirer via INQUIRER.net on X
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is eyeing a third and last term in the May 2025 midterm elections with a new running mate, 4th District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, who is running for vice governor for the first time.
Lacson and Alonso, backed by the Love Negros and United Negros Alliance coalition, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) in the presence of allies from various local government units, before the Commission on Elections at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in this city on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m just very happy for their appearance, for their support to the next tandem, Lacson-Alonso,” the governor told reporters.
In his two terms since 2019, Lacson teamed up with Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, who is set to run for congressman anew in the 4th District.
Ferrer served as congressman for three terms or nine years before he was elected to the second highest post of the province in 2019.
Alonso said he did not plan to run for vice governor but was nominated by the party to run alongside Lacson.
“I have been in public service for 35 years, so this is it,” he added.
His daughter, Paola Alonso Valderrama, is instead eyeing a seat in the Provincial Board, along with Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, for the two seats allocated for the 4th District.
While no other candidate has signified the intention to run for vice governor, a farmer from Candoni town, Ferdenand Etabag Diego, filed a COC for governor on Wednesday. (PNA)
