• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After occupying the position for two terms, or almost six years, Jose Francisco Benitez, currently the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general, has officially signed off as congressman of the Negros Occidental 3rd district, on June 7.
He is replaced by his nephew, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who won the elected post during the May 12 elections.
In a Facebook post, TESDA chief Benitez urged the same support extended to him, for the incoming 3rd district congressman.
The elder Benitez served as congressman of the Negros Occidental 3rd district from 2019 to 2024, before he was appointed as a member of the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August last year.
During that time, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano was designated by Speaker Martin Romualdez as the district caretaker.
“Let us stand behind Javi. Let’s make sure the progress we’ve started in Metro 3rd continues, and that the legacy of our shared work lives on,” the TESDA chief said.
In response, Congressman-elect Javi Benitez said he is grateful for the leadership of his uncle.
Your trust, your example, and your quiet strength continue to guide us, the younger Benitez said, as he accepted the responsibility with deep humility and a firm commitment to carry forward the progress you began.
The work you’ve done across Metro Third and the entire district has built a strong foundation. Smart Asenso that uplifted not only structures, but lives, he stressed.
As we usher in the next chapter with Asenso+, know that your legacy lives on in every road project, every classroom, every livelihood program, and every hopeful Victoriasanon, Saraviahanon, Silaynon, Talisaynon, and Murciahanon whose life you’ve touched, Benitez said.
This district will always be your home, and we will always be your team, he added.
Javi joins another family member, his father, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, in the House of Representatives.*
