Mayor Benitez brushes off yarn that son will run for guv

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez on Monday shrugged off talks that his son, Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, will challenge Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for the latter’s post in the 2025 elections.

“There is no such thing,” the mayor said in a press conference.

He said these talks could have been triggered by social media posts of his son visiting various cities and municipalities in the province.

But Benitez said that Javi is the president of the Association of Chief Executives in the province and it is part of his mandate to see how he can assist the mayors in the province.

“I don’t think there is something wrong with that,” Benitez further said.

Benitez also said that the unity of Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance remains strong.

“I see no cracks,” he further said.

On his part, Mayor Benitez said he will continue to support Lacson.

“There was a time when we internally fought each other, I don’t think we will return to that,” he said.

He also said he does not believe that outside political forces can come into the province amid reports that an Arroyo will challenge Lacson in the 2025 polls.

He also shrugged off speculations that he will seek a national post in the 2025 midyear elections.

“I can’t leave things hanging,” he said.

The mayor said he has to see to it that all programs and projects covered by a proposed P5.5-billion loan will be realized.

Benitez has asked the Sangguniang Palungsod for authority to sign the loan from Land Bank.

He said it is already with SP, adding that “the ball is in their court.”

“They wanted Land Bank to make a presentation,” he added.

He said he is hopeful to be given the authority as he had a caucus with the SP members in January this year and the latter expressed their support and cooperation for his programs and projects.

He also said that the Department of Finance determined the amount they can loan.

“We were given a loan capacity of P5.7 billion but we will just avail of P5.5 billion,” he said.