6 hours Ago By Ambo Delilan
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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s bid for a third and final term may face its toughest test yet, as Francis Frederick “Wantan” Palanca, a scion of a local political dynasty and ally of the Dutertes, mounts a serious challenge in the May 2025 midterm elections.Palanca, who served as Victorias City mayor from 2013 to 2022, is running under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) on a platform that includes scrapping the province’s so-called “One Hospital Command,” which he has called an “anti-poor” program.
The centralized referral system, introduced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to streamline communication and resource allocation across capitol-run hospitals. But Palanca insists the system restricts access to care for those who need it most.“The poor.
.. cannot go directly to the hospital unless it’s an emergency, or between life and death cases,” Palanca said.
“They must first go through their respective municipal and city health offices to secure a referral slip.”If he makes it, he vowed to “scrap this kind of program” and instead allow direct access to public hospitals, making healthcare more available to all Negrenses.Lacson, meanwhile, has not addressed Palanca’s criticisms directly.
He said he would stay focused on implementing his “Abanse Negrense” platform, which includes programs on agriculture, infrastructure, economic investment, health, environmental protection, and education. He also urged his opponents to avoid personal attacks and commit to a “more professional campaigning sans mudslinging.”Palanca, a member of the influential Bantug-Palanca clan and uncle to Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, is seen as Lacson’s most formidable rival.
His ties to the Duterte political camp could help consolidate support in the province’s six congressional districts, which account for over two million registered voters.Although detained former president Rodrigo Duterte lost in Negros in 2016, his daughter, impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, has since built a strong following in Negros Occidental – support Palanca is now banking on.Other challengers include Partido Lakas ng Masa’s Jonathan Paul Octaviano, also from Victorias City, who promised to create a weekly “People’s Day” at the capitol and prioritize the poor, especially farmers and fisherfolk, if he wins.
“If the more than two million Negrenses will allow me to be governor, I will focus on alleviating the plight of the poor,” Octaviano said, though he acknowledged that he has “no money to run a glamorous campaign.”Independent gubernatorial candidates Ferdenand Diego, a farmer from Candoni, and perennial hopeful Toto Librando also joined the race. Diego is campaigning on land distribution and pro-farmer policies, while Librando said he offers himself “as the best alternative.
”So far, only Palanca has been active on social media, while Octaviano has gone house-to-house and visited public markets. Diego and Librando have been largely absent from public view with just weeks to go before the May 12 elections. – Rappler.
com.
