BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City mayoralty aspirant Alfredo “Albee” Benitez commits to remain with PDP-Laban amid changing of political affiliations of candidates running for national positions in connection with the May next year elections.
With many things have been changing in the past few days, which he described as “confusing,” Benitez said that is the reason why he opts to stay with PDP-Laban is being its member for a long period of time.
By changing political parties, he stressed “people look at you as a political butterfly.”
Benitez, who served as congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental for nine years, said that they cannot make a decision yet as to the presidential candidate they will be supporting during the May 2022 polls because of several shake-ups in the presidential and vice-presidential race.
“It confuses all their supporters and members,” he added.
The PDP-Laban Cusi Wing earlier fielded Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as their presidential standard, who had withdrawn the race in favor of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who filed his certificate of candidacy for president as his substitute.
Prior to his filing of CoC for president, Go was the vice-presidential candidate of PDP-Laban Cusi faction. He is now running under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), an allied party of the PDP-Laban (Cusi Wing).
Benitez supports the call to regulate the substitution of election aspirants, by placing parameters to make sure that this cannot be used on a whim by some candidates.
Aside from Benitez and his younger brother, Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental), other local chief executives affiliated with PDP Laban who are seeking for reelections are Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, Manapla Mayor Manolet Escalante Jr., Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, Calatrava Mayor Marilyn Era and Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen de la Cruz.
Reelectionist Board Member Andrew Montelibano is the lone member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental who is a member of PDP-Laban.*
