FORMER Cagayan de Oro City first district representative Benjo Benaldo is likely to file his certificate of candidacy this week as he hinted to seek a congressional seat under the Padayon Pilipino slate, this time, representing the second district of Misamis Oriental.
Benaldo, who is a current member of the board of directors of Phividec Industrial Authority, transferred his voter's registration to Tagoloan town, two weeks ago.
He said he would give up his post once he decided to file his candidacy.
"Since I'm a resident of Tagoloan for more than a year na because I was appointed as board member of Phividec, so convenient sa ako to transfer my registration as a voter there,"Benaldo said.
However, Benaldo said he will wait for Governor Yevgeny Emano to announce the full line-up of candidates for the 2019 midterm polls.
He said there were personalities in the province who have been pushing him to join the congressional race because they were disgruntled with a politician who was not investment-friendly and who is not even concern about employment opportunities of the people.
"This is an exact opposite of my advocacy because I want more investments for the province which will result to more job opportunities. If I will file my candidacy, it’s because so many people are pushing me to come back in politics," Benaldo said.
Benaldo's advocacy is focused on drawing more investments to Misamis Oriental, education, youth empowerment, and health.
He said he was overwhelmed with the warm reception of the people in the province every time the governor asked him to attend engagements on his behalf.
"I was living a private life for five years and now I am overwhelmed with the reception of the people but I think I still have to adjust," he said.
Benaldo said he is willing to work with Emano in bringing the province to greater heights.
"I hope nga mahimo kong katimbang ni Gov Bambi and I'm blessed that I'm also with President Duterte so hopefully we will be able to bridge the gap between the barangays to the national government," Benaldo said.
"If you are doing what is good and right for the people you will never go wrong," he added.
Benaldo was a three-termer city councilor of Cagayan de Oro. He lost his congressional bid for the city's second district but won a term in the first district before he retired from politics.