• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego said on Sunday (Sept. 22) that he will support Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez in his bid for congressman of the Third District of Negros Occidental.
In a media interview, Gallego described Benitez as a good leader, being the president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives.
Gallego, Benitez and former Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, who will challenge Gallego’s reelection bid, are all members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the political party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
On Sept. 20, Benitez declared his availability to run for congressman, following the footsteps of his father, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and uncle, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Jose Francisco Benitez, who were the successive Third District representatives from 2010 to 2024.
His decision to seek a congressional post was also supported by other local chief executives of the Third District, including E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, and Murcia Mayor Victor Gerardo Rojas, and also by Golez.
During a press briefing on Friday, Benitez said Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III will run for mayor. | GB
