WHILE former Third District representative and now Provincial Consultant Alfredo Benitez has no definite plan yet for the coming May 2022 elections, his son, Javi Benitez, is running for mayor of Victorias City.
This was confirmed Tuesday, April 6, by Benitez's close ally, House Minority Floor Leader Stephen Paduano.
Paduano admitted he has posted on his Facebook account the posters urging Benitez to run for mayor of Bacolod City after he saw it making rounds on social media.
"He is still thinking of his options for the May 2022 elections. He may run for senator, for governor of the province, congressman of the Third District or for mayor of Bacolod City," Paduano said.
Paduano admitted that several businessmen in the city are urging Benitez to take on the political arena in Bacolod City and that they are meeting with him this week for some of their concerns in the city and may bring up election matters with him too.
"Coming is a presidential election and a lot of surprises may happen," Paduano said.
He said Benitez, who also has a house in Mountain View Subdivision, Bacolod City has not yet officially transferred his voting registration from Victorias to Bacolod City.
Among the posters that are making rounds in social media show "Save Bacolod, Run Albee Run," "It's Time! Let's SMILE again" and "NGC: New Governance for Change" messages.
Earlier, there have been other posters circulating in social media calling on the former solon to run. Though, there was no mention of a specific position, whether national or local post.
Meanwhile, Paduano confirmed that Javi Benitez, an actor, businessman and TV host will definitely run for mayor of Victorias City.
The local party Asenso Victoriahanon has already officially endorsed Benitez's son as their mayoralty candidate with the approval and support of Albee and by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and Vice Mayor Jerry Jover.
The announcement on Javi's running has been made after the gathering of the local party officials on April 3, Paduano further said.
Javi Benitez is now 26 years old.