Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said on Thursday, August 20, that no decision has been made on a common coalition candidate for Negros Occidental governor in 2028 but he is ready for talks.
Benitez stressed that for now he is focused on his work in Congress and serving the Third District.
Asked if he is considering a gubernatorial run, he replied that “no decision has been made, he will consult with the group”.
He added that he is ready anytime to sit down with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who has been calling for a common candidate for the Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) coalition, along with the province’s congressional representatives.
Benitez, who belongs to Love Negros, and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Nerg. Occ., 2nd District) of UNegA are seen as the leading contenders for the coalition’s gubernatorial bet.
On whether he would abide by the coalition’s choice if another candidate is selected, Benitez said, “It will have weight but at the end of the day it should be the people who should make the decision.”
He acknowledged consulting with his father, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, but emphasized that “at the end of the day all my decisions are mine.”
“The coalition wants a united ticket and I believe we need a united front because political stability affects economic stability,” Benitez said.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, UnegA secretary general, said the governor has been consistent in calling for a united ticket in 2028. He said UNegA adheres to the governor’s wisdom and remains open to negotiations.
Escalante added that Marañon is still UNegA’s best bet for governor, noting that expectations that the next governor will come from UnegA are just being consistent with talks nine years ago when they endorsed Lacson of Love Negros for governor.
On reports of a possible Benitez-Marañon showdown in 2028 fueled by a recent online survey, Escalante dismissed it as “only happening on social media,” saying, “Anybody can make a survey and post its results online.”*
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