• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The endorsements for Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez to run for congressman of the Negros Occidental 3rd district, continue to snowball.
Mayor Benitez yesterday got the endorsement of his uncle, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, Mayor Marvin Malacon and members of the E.B. Magalona Sangguniang Bayan, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, and Team Asenso of Silay City led by former Mayor Mark Golez.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier announced that his son, Javi, would be the strongest candidate for the 3rd district congressional post which he vacated in 2019, and was held by his brother who was recently appointed head of TESDA.
On August 19, the Sanguniang Bayan of E.B. Magalona unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the younger Benitez as candidate for congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, following the appointment of Cong. Kiko Benitez as the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
According to the resolution, Mayor Javi, as the youngest mayor of Victorias City, possesses a dynamic, independent-mind, who was recently named as the Top 3 performing mayor of Western Visayas.
“We are supporting him to run as congressman. In fact, we will be endorsing him for the 3rd district,” Mayor Rojas said.
Silay City Mayor Mark Golez and the entire Team Asenso of Silay are also endorsing Javi to run for the congressional position.
In endorsing his nephew to fill up his vacated position, TESDA chief Jose Francisco Benitez said he (Javi) came in, as the mayor of Victorias City, with “great passion and dedication.” But now, he has proven his competence and experience in running the city, the solon said.
He admitted that he and Mayor Albee, among others, are still convincing the younger Benitez to seek the congressional post, noting that he is reluctant, since he loves Victorias City.
For my personal assessment, in terms of the district, I think he would be the best, the solon, further said.
Regarding insinuations that Nikki Lopez Benitez, the mother of Javi, is being pushed to run for the congressional post, he replied “As far as I am concerned, she will not join politics.”
He recalled that the last they spoke, “she has been very consistent and very adamant.”
Regarding the caretaker of the 3rd district, Cong. Kiko said he already endorsed Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
As a caretaker, he (Paduano) has to make sure that the district programs and projects will continue, the TESDA chief also said.
Javi said he truly appreciates the endorsements.
At present, he said he is still in the process of consulting with his team and the Victoriasanons, stressing that his heart has been in Victorias, stressing also that he has invested much of his time and efforts to develop the city.
Admitting that it will be a tough decision for him, Javi said his decision will be known at the end of the month of September this year.
The filing of Certificate of Candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections, is slated from October 1 to 8 this year.*
