Governor Tamayo leads oathtaking of 210 Negros Island Region officials into Partido Federal ng Pilipinas

Some 210 local officials from the Negros Island Region (NIR) were officially sworn in as new members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Monday, August 26, 2024. The oathtaking ceremony was led by PFP President and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. at L'Fisher Hotel.

Governor Tamayo expressed his satisfaction with the successful event, highlighting the strong support from key local leaders, including Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, newly appointed TESDA Director General Francisco Benitez, and Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who were all present during the ceremony.

"We are pleased to welcome a substantial number of officials from the Negros Island Region into the PFP. This marks a significant step as we continue to build a supermajority in the region," Tamayo stated. He further mentioned that additional oathtaking ceremonies are scheduled at the provincial level before the filing of Certificates of Candidacy in October and following the elections next year.

Governor Tamayo emphasized that the PFP is now the "supermajority" in the NIR concerning local officials who are members of the party. "We don't want to show the number as the majority of the officials in NIR have joined the PFP," he added, underscoring the party's growing influence in the region.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria and Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa were also noted as members of the PFP, further strengthening the party's presence across the Visayas.

While Governor Lacson will remain with the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) due to an existing alliance with the PFP, several key mayors from Negros Occidental are now aligned with the PFP. These include Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, E. B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Reliquias, Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, and Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda.

Additionally, former Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, who is eyeing a return to the mayoralty in the upcoming elections, has also joined the PFP, further bolstering the party's ranks in the region.

With this latest development, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas continues to solidify its influence and presence in the NIR, positioning itself as a dominant political force in the region.