• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The endorsement for Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez to run for congressman of the Third District of Negros Occidental continues to snowball.
On Monday, Aug. 26, he got the endorsement of his uncle, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez.
Also, giving their support are E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon and the members of the Municipal Council, Murcia Mayor Victor Gerardo Rojas and the Team Asenso of Silay City led by former Mayor Mark Golez.
This came after Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier announced that his son would be the strongest candidate for the Third District congressional post, which he had vacated in 2019.
On. Aug. 19, the Municipal Council of E.B. Magalona unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the younger Benitez for congressman, following the appointment of Benitez as the TESDA chief.
“We are supporting him to run as congressman. In fact, we will be endorsing him for the Third District,” Rojas said.
The TESDA chief said that his nephew has “great passion and dedication”, being the mayor of Victorias City.
He has proven his competence and experience in running the city, he added.
The mayor’s uncle admitted that he and his mayor-brother are still convincing the young mayor to seek the congressional post although noting his reluctance since he loves Victorias City.
“For my personal assessment, in terms of the district, I think he would be the best,” the TESDA chief said.
On reports that Nikki Lopez Benitez, the mayor’s mother, is being pushed to run for the congressional post, he said: “As far as I’m concerned, she will not join politics.”
“The last time we spoke, she has been very consistent and very adamant.”
Meanwhile, the former lawmaker said that he has endorsed to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano to become the district caretaker.
As a caretaker, he (Paduano) has to make sure that the district programs and projects will continue, the TESDA chief said.
Reacting to the endorsements, the Victorias City mayor said he truly appreciates the support.
He added that he is still in the process of consulting with his team and the Victoriasanons, noting that he has invested much of his time and efforts to develop the city.
Admitting that it will be a tough decision for him, the mayor said that his decision will be known by the end of September.
The filing of certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections is on Oct. 1 to 8. | GB
