• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Two days before he celebrates his 30th birthday, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez filed his Certificate of Candidacy Oct. 6 for congressman of Negros Occidental 3rd District in the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, in his bid to continue the “Benitez legacy”.
Accompanied by his mother, Bacolod first lady Nikki Benitez, and Victorias officials, the first-termer mayor was welcomed at the Comelec at Capitol in Bacolod City Sunday afternoon by incumbent and aspirant officials of the 3rd District, and supporters waving balloons, amid cheers and drumbeats.
He assured full commitment to continue helping and serving the 3rd District and Negrenses in the House of Representatives, adding that if elected, his first bill would be the creation of a Department of Tertiary Education, as recommended by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
“Hopefully, we can work together with the education stakeholders…na ang Commission on Higher Education and Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), himuon nga isa” as per recommendation of EDCOM 2, the mayor said.
Benitez’s uncle, then 3rd District Rep. and now Tesda director-general Jose Francisco Benitez, served as EDCOM 2 commissioner.
Aside from this priority bill, Benitez said he would also continue the legislative priorities of his uncle, and would push for measures on education, healthcare, climate resiliency, and digital technology.
Benitez likewise said he is confident that Victorias Vice Mayor Abelardo “JunB” Bantug III, who filed his COC for mayor Oct. 6, would continue his projects and programs in the city.
Benitez, the youngest to become mayor of Victorias in 2022, also said in a post: “We are excited (by) what lies ahead of us as we venture (into) this new path. Magapadayon ang pag-iwag sang kasanag sa Tersero Distrito sa 2025! Madamo gid nga salamat sa tanan nga mga supporters, volunteers, officials, kag aspirants nga naghatag sang ila tiempo, suporta, kag pagpalangga.” | CGC
