NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson reiterated his support for former Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez to run for senator in the coming 2022 elections.

Calls for Benitez to represent the Negrenses to the senate have been mounting, especially on social media.

"We Negrenses have always wanted a senator from our province and no better person than Cong. Albee would best represent us," Lacson said when asked for comment.

The governor added that it will always be a challenge to aspire for that position no matter what election year it will be.

The name of Benitez for senator had been floated during the 2019 elections, but it did not materialize.

Benitez is now Lacson's consultant on Tourism and Investment and the main author of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act that aimed to save the sugar industry from the impact of trade globalization.

He has yet to issue a statement on this renewed call to be the province's representative in the senate.