Former Rep. Apolinario "Jun" Lozada may challenge incumbent Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. for the congressional seat of the fifth district of Negros Occidental, while Rep. Carlos "Charlie" Cojuangco yesterday said he is not running for any post in May.

The Liberal Party announced in Manila yesterday that it will field Lozada to run against Arroyo in the fifth district of Negros Occidental.

But Lozada told the DAILY STAR he has not decided yet which political party to join and is still looking at the political environment before deciding to run.

Lozada, who left the Lakas NUCD three years ago, said he has not met with his political leaders or conducted consultations yet, and also does not have the money needed for the campaign.

"My desire to run is 80 percent but the practical side is 50-50", he said.

Arroyo said that if Lozada runs, "It's okay, it's a free country."

His candidates for mayor in the fifth district are Alejandro Mirasol for Binalbagan with Emmanuel Aranda as vice mayor, Hermilo Aguilar for Hinigaran, Ella Garcia, daughter of incumbent mayor Jose Garcia, for Moises Padilla, Renato Malabor for Isabela, and Vice Mayor Alberto Nicor Jr. for La Castellana, Arroyo said.

Arroyo said they are still solving the problem in Himamaylan where incumbent Mayor Carminia Bascon is facing a possible challenge from her nephew, Alaine Gatuslao.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said his agreement with Arroyo under their alliance is that Mirasol of the Nationalist People's Coalition be fielded in Binalbagan but that the solon will have a free hand in choosing the rest of the candidates for the fifth district.

COJUANGCO'S PLANS

Meanwhile, Cojuangco said the line-up for the fourth district of Negros Occidental will hopefully be finalized within the next two weeks.

Running for board members of the fourth district is Mae Javellana and the other seat is being offered to Bago Mayor Janet Torres. If Torres does not take on the candidacy for board member, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso may be available for the post, Cojuangco said.

Alonso's twin, Jomar, may run for mayor of Pontevedra, Cojuangco said, but he has to talk to him yet.

Earlier Cojuangco said the other candidates for mayor in the fourth district are Ramon Torres - Bago, Jilson Tubillara for San Enrique and Jeffrey Ferrer for La Carlota. He did not give a name for the mayoralty bet in Pulupandan yet.

Cojuangco said he will rest from public office to spend more time with his children, but will remain active and visible.

Cojuangco, 43, was mayor of Pontevedra for six years before serving as congressman for nine years. His wife Rio Diaz Cojuangco succumbed to cancer in 2004 leaving him with their two children, Jaime and Claudia.

"I want to keep busy here in the province with whatever good I can do," he said, citing continuing his advocacy for educational improvement, protection of the environment and livelihood, among others.

"When I say, take a break, I don't mean retire or disappear," he said.

Cojuangco's mother, Gretchen, is running for the fourth congressional seat that he is vacating after serving for three terms.

Asked what he thought about political dynasties, Cojuangco said he did not see anything wrong with it as long as those elected perform their duties properly.

Cojuangco said his mother has been going around the fourth district to touch base with the people.

Asked what advice he had for his mother, Cojuangco said she should "just concentrate on her advocacies and not to try to do too much (in the passage of laws) because the process is very complicated and complex".*CPG

back to top