In Negros Occidental the local political race in many areas is all in the family and a matter of "musical chairs".

Leading the pack of those with the most number of bets from the same clan running for office so far are the Marañons with five, followed by the de la Cruz family of Don Salvador Benedicto with four. Joseph Marañon is running for re-election as governor and his brother Alfredo Marañon Jr. is running for mayor of Sagay City.

Alfredo's son Alfredo Marañon III is seeking reelection as congressman of the second district, and Joseph's son Joseph Gerard Marañon is running for councilor of Sagay. The governor's nephew, Leo Rafael Cueva, is also running for vice mayor of Sagay City.

The governor said there is nothing wrong with members of one family all running at the same time as long as they are competent and elected by the people in a free, honest and orderly election.

In Don Salvador Benedicto town current mayor Cynthia dela Cruz who is on her third term, will run for vice mayor, while her son Marxlen, who is now vice mayor, will take her place as mayor. Her other son Nehemias de la Cruz Jr. is running for councilor while her husband, Nehemias de la Cruz Sr., is running for provincial board member from the first district.

The mayor-vice mayor family teams are in Escalante City, Sipalay City and Cauayan.

Incumbent mayor Santiago Barcelona Jr. who is on his third term, is running for vice mayor of Escalante City, while his wife, Alicia, is running for mayor,

In Sipalay, incumbent mayor Oscar Montilla who is on his third term is running for vice mayor, while his mother, Soledad, a former mayor of the city, is making a comeback as mayor.

In Candoni, incumbent mayor Jerry Tabujara is running for vice mayor and his son John Rey Tabujara is running for mayor, while Henry Tabujara is running for councilor.

SECOND GENERATION BETS

Meanwhile, children of two former governors of Negros Occidental are also trying their luck in politics.

Yesterday Patrick Lacson, son of former Gov. Daniel Lacson Jr., resigned as executive assistant of Gov. Joseph Marañon, to run for board member of the third district.

Lacson said he wants to focus on helping the organic farming program of Gov. Joseph Maranon and the health and nutrition needs of the children.

He also pledged to listen to the needs of the people.

Chino Coscolluela, son of former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela who is currently presidential adviser for Western Visayas, is running for councilor of Talisay City.

'MUSICAL CHAIRS'

As far as "musical chairs" are concerned, Genaro Alvarez is making a comeback as congressman of the sixth district in place of his son incumbent Rep. Genaro Rafael Alvarez, while his daughter-in-law Joyce Alvarez, is running for mayor of Ilog town in place of her husband John Paul Alvarez.

Jechonias Manzano is running for mayor of Candoni in place of his wife, incumbent mayor Liberty Manzano.

In Pontevedra Jose Maria Alonso is running for mayor in place of his identical twin, Jose Benito Alonso.

In Pulupandan, running for mayor is Samson Mondia, brother of incumbent mayor Luis Mondia.*CPG

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