The Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition political party in Negros Oriental is in the thick of choosing a replacement for the late Board Member Rotelio Lumjod in its efforts to strengthen the party and fill up the vacuum left behind by Lumjod.
Five names cropped up as replacement, namely, former Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas, former Dumaguete councilor Rommel Erames, Agustin Miguel Perdices (son of the late Dumaguete mayor and Negros Oriental Gov. Agustin Perdices) and the late Lumjod’s daughter, Fritzie.
But for two incumbent members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Mercy Goñi of Bais City is in the best position to continue the remaining term of the late Lumjod, having sacrificed for the party since becoming a member.
Board Member Angelo Teves, who hails from Bais City, said Goñi is the unanimous choice of their leaders and supporters in Bais and that it is the only city in the second district that does not have a NPC mayor.
Teves said it could not be Villegas because clearly she was with the Lakas party when she filed her certificate of candidacy for vice governor in the last election, while in the case of Atty. Rommel Erames, there are also questions as to the loyalty of his father, incumbent Board Member Saleto Erames, whom Board Member Angelo Teves claimed was not with them when they needed him to support their stand in certain issues at the provincial board.
For Lumjod’s daughter, Board Member Macias said the position is not a private property that can be inherited from the father to his siblings. Macias made it clear he does not want to step ahead of the decision of Rep. George Arnaiz of the 2nd District of Negros Oriental, who is currently the NPC provincial chairman.
The two NPC members, however, said the final decision would come from Rep. Arnaiz in consultation with the mayors of the district.
The issue will be resolved next week after the NPC Christmas party. (PNA/JPF/Juancho Gallarde)
