AS HE seeks reelection for second term, Negros Occidental Third District Representative Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez is filing his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) Monday, October 4, 2021.
Benitez, in a press conference at Barangay Caliban in Murcia town Sunday, October 3, said he will continue the programs that he started.
The lawmaker expressed hopes to get the support of the people in the district for the upcoming elections, believing that there is still a lot to be done there.
“I offer myself as a public servant and I serve at the desires of my constituents,” he said, telling his constituents that “so I hope you'll join and support me sa pag padayon sang pag-asenso (in continuing progress).”
During the press conference, the Negrense lawmaker highlighted some of the 277 bills he authored and co-authored under at least 13 committees he chairs or he is a member of.
In a bid to continue bringing progress to the localities in the Third District including the cities of Talisay, Silay and Victorias and towns of Murcia and EB Magalona, Benitez said among the priorities is to further improve the delivery of basic services.
“We also need to beef up local health system particularly for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) health response,” Benitez said, adding that many are dying because of Covid, so there is a need to ensure a stronger health system through establishing stronger telemedicine programs, among others.
He also underscored other plans like pushing for digital infrastructure transformation programs of the government to be felt more palpably, focusing on the educational system especially in times of the pandemic, and working on sustainable environment ordinances and legislations.
“We need to find ways on how to jump-start the economy. We need new models of development,” the congressman said.
Benitez, meanwhile, said his brother former congressman Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is the official candidate for mayor of Bacolod City under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cusi wing.
The lawmaker said his brother's Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (Cona) was already signed by the party's national office in his bid for the mayorship of the Negros Occidental capital city.
Last week, Benitez’s brother was appointed provincial president of the party, authorizing him to sign Conas for candidates of the party in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City except for the positions of governor, mayor of Bacolod City and congressman.
Benitez also denied allegations that he had a hand on “hakotay” or transporting people from the Third District to register as voters in Bacolod City.
"Why would I do that when I need their votes?” he asked.
He added that his brother is running for mayor of Bacolod City because of his sincere desire to serve its people.
When asked how he will help his brother, he said he tells his constituents who have friends and relatives in Bacolod City "to testify on what we do here in the Third District as it will be replicated in Bacolod when Manong (older brother) wins."
Benitez also answered issues hurled against their family that they are creating a political dynasty in Negros Occidental.
Aside from his brother who is eyeing the mayoralty post in Bacolod City, his nephew Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, son of Albee, is also running for mayor of Victorias City.
"It is the right of the people to choose (because) as electorates they [are the ones to] decide," Benitez said.
It is also based on our capacity to serve, he said.
"While we have similar beliefs and values, we are very different persons,” Benitez said. (With reports from Erwin P. Nicavera)