Architect, celebrity, pol eye Victorias City mayorship

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – A veteran architect is running against a young celebrity and son of a former congressman and a veteran politician for the mayorship of Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Architect Paul Octaviano is facing Javi Benitez, a young celebrity and son of former 3rd district congressman Alfredo Benitez.

Completing the three-cornered contest for the mayoralty post is Jerry Jover, a three-term vice-mayor of the city.

Octaviano is running under the Reform PH- People’s Party while Benitez is an independent candidate.

Jover is the candidate of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan.

Octaviano was born in Victorias City and spent his childhood days in the city where he finished his elementary studies at the Victorias Elementary School and Don Bosco Technical Institute.

He earned his architecture degree at the University of Sto. Tomas but due to the unrest in Manila, he transferred to La Consolacion College-Bacolod.

He is a former president of the Philippine Institute of Architects.

While he worked and earned a living outside of the city, Octaviano said he is a “tumandok” or native and is against political dynasties.

Benitez, on the other hand, had a cameo role in the TV sitcom “The General’s Daughter.”

He is also the nephew of incumbent 3rd district Rep. Franciso Benitez who is seeking re-election. They are both from the Bantug clan which has long dominated the city.

Jover is a veteran politician of the city and was supposed to run for mayor under the current administration which has supported the bid of Benitez instead.