• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Friday, Sept. 11 that the choice of a common gubernatorial candidate for Negros Occidental in the 2028 elections should be decided through consensus rather than by a single individual.
“For me, both Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) should be given the opportunity to discuss it.” Benitez said, referring to the two political groups’ efforts to agree on a common candidate.
He said the groups had agreed during their previous meeting to hold another meeting and sit down to discuss the matter.
“I don’t think there should be any individual or one person to decide on what will happen. It is a collective decision and consensus of all members of Love Negros and UNegA,” Benitez said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is now on his third term as governor, has been pushing for a common coalition gubernatorial bet in the 2028 elections.
Benitez said there would be no problem if Lacson initiates another meeting, noting that members of the two groups are already holding discussions among themselves.
His remarks came amid discussions on his son, 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, and Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III being floated as possible contenders for governor.
Neither the younger Benitez nor Marañon has confirmed plans to seek the gubernatorial post.
“Anybody has the right to run,” the Bacolod lawmaker said, adding that having more candidates would give voters more choices.
“The decision on whether to run or not is still something we will have to see. There’s more than a year before the filing of candidacies,” Benitez, a key official of Love Negros, said.
He added that he would support his son if he eventually decides to run for governor.
Meanwhile, Benitez said he has no information for now on the political plans of his younger brother, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, who was previously congressman of the Third District. | GPB
