ILOILO – Provincial Administrator Raul Banias denied that he will run for vice governor in the 2019 mid-term elections.
“Fake news” was how he described speculations that he will seek the provincial capitol post. “There is no truth to it,” he told the press.
But Banias admitted that he considers running for mayor. “Isa sa mga gina-consider ta ang local, sa Concepcion.”
Banias, one of the most trusted allies of Arthur Defensor Sr., said he has discussed the matter with the governor and there is “no chance” that he would change his mind.
“Naka-istorya na kami sang governor nga ma-local na lang ako,” he stressed.
Before getting appointed provincial administrator in 2010, Banias was the presidential assistant for Western Visayas under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was also a mayor of Concepcion for nine years.
Defensor’s son, Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. (3rd District), already expressed interest in seeking the governorship in 2019. He is expected to clash with fellow lawmaker, Rep. Ferjenel Biron of the 4th District.
Rep. Defensor does not yet have a prospective running mate as of this writing./PN