• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez is keeping his options open for the 2028 national and local elections, saying it is still too early to decide on his political plans.
Benitez said there is still much work to be done at TESDA and stressed that the next elections remain far off.
“Sus kalayo pa sina. Is he running for governor na gid haw? Sigurado na gid na? If he does, we will consider it (That is still a long way off. Is he really running for governor already? Is that already for sure? If he does, we will consider it),” Benitez said when asked if he would return to Congress should his nephew, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, run for governor.
Benitez said he could consider staying at TESDA and completing his term afterwhich, he may return to private life.
“When the time comes. There is no decision for anything yet,” he added.
The younger Benitez has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2028.
His father, Deputy Speaker Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, earlier said that the choice of a common gubernatorial candidate for Negros Occidental should be made through consensus among political groups rather than by a single individual.
He said members of Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance should sit down and arrive at a collective decision on their 2028 standard-bearer.
The Bacolod City lawmaker said that he would definitely support his son should he decide to seek the governorship. | GPB
