• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A week after Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez took his oath as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general before President Fedinand Marcos Jr., the House of Representatives, on its regular session Wednesday, Sept. 4, approved the designation of Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano as the caretaker of the district.
Benitez welcomed the designation of Paduano as he also thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe for their “excellent choice and support”.
“I have full confidence in the ability of Congressman Caraps in representing the best interest of the people of the third district. I trust that he will diligently shepherd and monitor the implementation, progress and completion of projects and programs that I have started, ensuring that our shared vision for the district is fulfilled until the end of 19th Congress in June 2025,” Benitez said.
Paduano was recommended by Benitez to the House Speaker to serve as the third district caretaker until a new congressman is elected in the May 2025 elections.
Benitez earlier said that he selected Paduano to succeed him since he is also from the third district.
Paduano is now on his last term as Abang Lingkod partylist representative. He is presently the chairman of the House committee on Public Accounts. | GB
