- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Javier Miguel “Javi” Lopez Benitez, son of former congressman Alfredo Benitez, will file his Certificate of Candidacy for mayor of Victorias City in Negros Occidental on Oct. 1, the first day of the COC filing for the 2022 elections.
Javi, who will turn 27 years old on Oct. 8, officially declared today, Sept. 21, that he is running for mayor of Victorias, adding that it was a party decision with 26 barangay captains and senior party officials to nominate him for mayor of the city.
He said he has been exposed to the brand of leadership of his family, and that his great grandmother, former Victorias Mayor Remedios Palanca Bantug, had a huge influence on him and his wish to serve Victoriahanons.
“I felt the love of Negrenses and Victoriahanons and it is now time for me to pass it forward,” Javi said in a press conference at Bantug Farm in Daan Banwa, Victorias, the place that he said holds fond memories for him.
He said he has the heart to serve the people despite his young age. “What is important is what a candidate can bring to the table,” Javi said, adding that with his diverse experience and the Benitez legacy, he believes that he is the “best suited” candidate for mayor.
Javi said that since 2010 when he was still in high school, he has been with his father on the campaign trail and saw the concerns and needs of people, particularly on the need for cheap medicines, access to medical assistance, and available doctors.
He has been participating in the varied charity works of his mother, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez Benitez, and said he saw the needs of people in every barangays he had visited.
He said he will prioritize healthcare, and will be a “mayor for everyone”.
“I will not steal. The money for Victoriahanons will be for Victoriahanons,” Javi stressed in declaring that his administration will be “clean, efficient, and inclusive”.
Javi, nephew of 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, is taking up Master’s in Public Administration and Governance at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, major in Political Science, from Santa Clara University in Sta. Clara, California, USA, and did internships in the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, IdeaSpace of PLDT and PayPal.
Javi is a member of the Board of Nikki Cares Foundation Inc. as corporate secretary, and of Atonland and Leisure Inc. Magikland.
He is also a Star Magic artist and did several teleseries. His girlfriend is actress Sue Ramirez, who later joined him at the press conference with his mom to show their support. They told him to stay humble and always be true.- CGC
