Negros Occ Rep. Ferrer ousted from NPC

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The national directorate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has removed Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer from its list of members, and has withdrawn its certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for his reelection bid in 2013.

This was confirmed yesterday by Ferrer himself, Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, who is the provincial chairman of NPC in Negros Occidental, and Comelec provincial supervisor Jessie Suarez.

Ferrer told The Freeman in a text message yesterday: “I respect the decision of the party. I’m even thankful to the leadership of NPC for giving me the opportunity to be part of the party for quite a long time.”

The congressman, who used to be associated with NPC founder and former ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco Jr., is supporting the reelection bid of incumbent Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for the 2013 elections.

Marañon is being opposed by incumbent Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., who was endorsed by Cojuangco as the official NPC candidate.

The governor, who used to be the NPC provincial chairman before he was unceremoniously replaced by Zayco recently, is running under the United Negros Alliance, another party founded by Cojuangco.

Suarez also revealed that Ferrer is no longer an NPC candidate, but that he has two party nominations – from NPC and United Negros Alliance. He said this is the first time in Negros Occidental that a national party has withdrawn its nomination for its candidate.

Now on his last term as congressman should he win in 2013, Ferrer said the NPC’s withdrawal of its nomination will not affect his candidacy. “It is okay with me, it’s no big deal. I’m now with the United Negros Alliance,” Ferrer said.

“It will only affect me if the people will not vote for me. With or without a party, my intention to serve the people of the 4th District will continue. This is now the time that I can prove to my constituents that my loyalty lies on them and not to any national party,” he said.

Ferrer said that, while the NPC national directorate has withdrawn its CONA, it cannot replace him as its congressional candidate because he has not withdrawn his candidacy.

Suarez said he received the notice from NPC president Frisco San Juan on Nov. 6 stating that the “NPC had resolved to withdraw the nomination of Ferrer in accordance to the recommendation of the local chapter,” effective immediately.

It is not within the power of the Comelec to determine the reason behind the withdrawal, said Suarez, adding that its function is to receive and submit the documents to the law department for proper action.

Zayco, for his part, said the reason for NPC withdrawal of CONA for Ferrer “might be that the congressman is not supporting the candidacy of Alvarez,” but he denied allegations that the order came from Cojuangco.

Alvarez, on the other hand, said that “we can’t do anything about that,” because it was a decision from Manila. He however clarified that, among the grounds for withdrawal of party nomination include the non-support for the candidate of the party or the issuance of statements against the party.

Marañon, chairman of United Negros Alliance, said he could not comment on the NPC’s ouster of Ferrer because he is no longer a party official. It will not however affect the candidacy of Ferrer, who “can now concentrate with United Negros Alliance.” —(FREEMAN)