Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Saturday, March 16, that right now he is staying put as mayor of Bacolod City for a second term.
While his brother, Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) named some of the potential candidates for mayor in the Third District whom he will support.
Rep. Benitez said he would support the Talisay City mayoral bid of lawyer Rowena Lizares should she run in 2025.
He husband Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares is on his third and last term.
Benitez said he would also support the EB Magalona mayoral bid of the son of Mayor Marvin Malacon if he runs for the post.
The congressman did not say if they will field a mayoral candidate against Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego.
The congressman is supporting Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko who is running for an Abang Lingkod partylist congressional seat.
The team of Benitez will also support a candidate from Talisay City who will run for the Third District board member seat to be vacated by Ko.
Mayor Benitez said right now he is staying put as mayor of Bacolod and the options of Rep. Greg Gasataya who is on his last term as congressman are being discussed.
The Asenso Bacolod lineup for 2025 has not been discussed yet, he added.
Rep. Stephen Paduano who is on his last term as Abang Lingkod partylist representative has expressed interest in being a supporter and not a candidate in 2025, the mayor added.*