The Liberal Party in Negros Oriental has settled the matter of who will succeed Rep. Josy Limkaichong in the first district but they’re still wooing prospective candidates in the second and third districts.
Limkaichong, in an interview with the media in Bais City Friday, said the party is fielding former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Director Manuel Iway as their candidate for 1st District Representative in next year’s elections.
She also said they hope Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva will step up to the challenge to run for 2nd District Representative. Limkaichong did not name their prospect for 3rd District Representative, but said he is a former Provincial Board Member.
Mayor Karen, on the other hand, said she is still undecided.
“I am flattered that my performance has been noticed by the political leaders, but I am still thinking about my political plans,” Mayor Karen said.
The plan was for Mayor Karen’s father, former Bais City Mayor Hector “Tata” Villanueva, to return as City Mayor but the former mayor also admitted that things are still uncertain.
“Karen and I have to talk because she has a lot of plans for the City. She could run for re-election and I could ‘go up,’ the elder Villanueva said.
In the end, Villanueva said it would be a party decision. “It would be difficult to go against the wishes of the president,” he said.
Bais City, which will celebrate its fiesta on September 9-10, formally launched the Smoke-Free Bais movement, which bans smoking in public places in the City.
Mayor Karen said that they have embarked on a three-month information and education drive to allow Baisanons to know about the new law. She said that there will be no arrests for people who violate the anti-smoking ordinance during the first three months.