Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said the case of San Carlos Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rep. Tranquilino Carmona has been elevated to the national directorate of the Nationalist People's Coalition for decision.

Carmona, who has been named the official NPC candidate for congressman of the first district of Negros Occidental in the May polls, said he is fielding Elmero Layumas as mayor of San Carlos. Lacson, who is supporting the congressional bid of former Rep. Julio Ledesma against Carmona, said he should be the official NPC candidate since he is an original party member.

Carmona and Lacson met with the governor yesterday morning and Marañon said he informed them that he had elevated their case for decision. Lacson said he had a very good meeting with the governor.

Meanwhile, on the call for the release of former President Joseph Estrada from detention to campaign for the opposition senatorial bets, Marañon said he should just follow what the court rules.

There must be no exception to the rules, he said.

The opposition on Sunday called for the release of Estrada.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye yesterday also said they leave the matter up to the court to decide.

"We are not taking the bait of the opposition of making the campaign a fight between the Palace and former President Estrada," he said, adding that the campaign "is not about personalities but issues, not about the past but about the future."*CPG

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