CPG photos
The challengers: Lozada, left, and Camposano hold up their CoCs.*

"Some people say I will be running against the budget of the Republic of the Philippines, but I'm running for congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental just the same."

Thus said former Rep. Jose Apolinario Lozada, who is challenging the re-election bid of presidential brother-in-law Ignacio Arroyo who is going for a second term.

Lozada was one of six candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy before Negros Occidental provincial elections officer Jessie Suarez in Bacolod City yesterday.

Guv names NPC line up
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The La Carlota drumbeaters will add to the festive mood at 8 a.m. today when Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon of the Nationalist People's Coalition and his team file their certificates of candidacy at the provincial Commission on Elections office in Bacolod City.

The governor will be accompanied by his runningmate Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco (Lakas), and congressional candidates Alfredo Marañon III - second district, Jose Carlos Lacson (Lakas) - third district, Jeffrey Ferrer (NPC) - fourth district, and Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino) - fifth district, and their candidates for the provincial board.

Bing names
Bacolod teammates
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday nominated the official candidates of the Nationalist People's Coalition for the city at the Business Inn in Bacolod City.

Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, a former Lakas candidate, meanwhile, took his oath as NPC member before Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, who is provincial chairman of NPC. Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who was nominated as NPC candidate for vice mayor, also took his oath, together with 11 other candidates for councilor, before Leonardia.