• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has announced his intention to seek reelection as mayor of highly urbanized Bacolod City.
Right now, I’m staying put, Benitez said when he made the announcement on Saturday, during a press briefing in Talisay City, of his brother, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.
On reports that he may run for a national position, he stressed that he has not received any offer, “although there are talks.”
Asked on the possibility that Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya may run against him, should the solon decide to go for it, Benitez replied “there’s always a possibility. Everybody has the freedom to do what they want.”
But he said that their political group, Asenso Bacolod, has yet to discuss their line up for the 2025 midterm elections.
Gasataya is currently in his third and last term as Bacolod City congressman.
Benitez said that Rep. Gasataya “has a say on who will replace him as it his district,” while also debunking speculations of a “cold” relationship between him and the solon.
Both Benitez and Gasataya attended the groundbreaking of the new building of the Home of the Blind on March 15, where the mayor said he asked the solon regarding the status of the redistricting bill of Bacolod.
Benitez said he was told by Gasataya that the proposed redistricting bill was filed as the 2nd of the 25 local government units asking for redistricting.
While the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) is not too fond of dividing LGUs, Benitez pointed out “but for a greater reason, we may be able to convince the President to do it for Bacolod.”
On the political fate of Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Benitez said they have not discussed anything yet, although he attended the unity organization in December last year.
Rep. Stephen Joseph “Karaps” Paduano, a strong ally of Benitez, is also graduating as congressman of Abang Lingkod partylist group.
“Cong Karaps has expressed interest to be a supporter, and not as a candidate,” Benitez said, when asked if Paduano may run for an elected position.
The mayor said he was told by Paduano that he is already tired.
Benitez also said that he heard rumors that former Bacolod City Mayor and Rep. Monico Puentevella may run for congressman under a party list group as a second nominee.*
