Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez said any decision made regarding his candidacy in 2025 will be in close consultation with his team and, most importantly, with the Victoriasanon people.
“No one else will make this announcement on my behalf. We will approach this matter with careful consideration and the respect it deserves,” Benitez said Monday night, August 19.
Benitez was reacting to the growing endorsements and calls for him to run for representative of the 3rd District in the 2025 elections following the appointment of his uncle Rep. Francisco Benitez as secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The Victorias mayor would be the strongest candidate for congressman of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental in 2025, his father Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Saturday, August 17.
The Bacolod mayor, however, said they had not discussed who will run for congressman in place of his brother, Rep. Benitez.
“We will asks the 3rd District who their preference is… (but) Mayor Javi would be the strongest candidate for congressman”, he said.*