Benitez as House Speaker? Possible, Negrense Officials Say

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Local officials in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are hopeful that Rep.-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez will secure the House Speakership in the 20th Congress.

Benitez won the city’s lone congressional seat in the 2025 midterm elections, defeating several contenders, including former mayor and congressman Evelio “Bing” Leonardia.

Currently serving as Bacolod City mayor, Benitez will end his term on June 30, 2025, and assume his new post the next day.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed reports that Benitez is being considered for the speakership.

“That would be great. Could you imagine if somebody from Negros Occidental will actually sit down as Speaker?” Lacson said.

He added that he doesn’t believe any Negrense would oppose Benitez’s potential leadership.

“We’re hoping it can happen, but we’re just here to sit down, relax and see what happens at the start of the 20th Congress,” Lacson said.

Benitez’s return to Congress marks a comeback after serving as 3rd District representative from 2013 to 2022.

During his tenure, he led the powerful Visayan Bloc.

Negros Occidental will have eight congressional representatives, including 3rd District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, who will represent the Abang Lingkod partylist, succeeding Joseph Stephen Paduano.

Other newly elected district representatives are Julio Ledesma IV, 1st District; Alfredo Marañon III, 2nd District; Javier Miguel Benitez, 3rd District; Jeffrey Ferrer, 4th District; Emilio Bernardino Yulo, 5th District; and Mercedes Alvarez, 6th District.

Bacolod City Councilor Al Victor Espino, a political ally of Benitez, said the mayor-turned-congressman’s possible speakership is a major opportunity for the city.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., secretary general of the United Negros Alliance, also welcomed the potential of Benitez leading the House.