Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez announced that he is running for congressman of 3rd District of Negros Occidental in the 2025 midterm elections before a crowd of more than 8,000 at the Victorias Coliseum Friday afternoon, Sept. 20.
Benitez, who is running under the Partido Federal ng Pillpinas, said he is ready to continue the Benitez legacy of service in the 3rd District.
“I am absolutely ready to continue the legacy of the Benitez family in the Third District. I am ready to do more,” he said.
He signed his certificate of candidacy for representative of the 3rd District before the media after his speech and said he will file it on October 6.
His father Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and uncle Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general, were the previous congressmen on the 3rd District.
His father, uncle and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson endorsed his bid for congressman before cheering Negros Occidental officials, mayors and Asenso leaders of the 3rd District.
Also present to show her support was the mayor’s mother, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez Benitez.
He said it took him some time to decide to run for congressman because there are many projects he has started in Victiorias that have yet to be completed.
He is endorsing Vice Mayor Abelardo “JunB” Bantug III to run for mayor of Victorias City in 2025 in his place.
“I am very confident that he will do a good job as mayor of Victorias City,” he said.
The rest of the Victorias slate will be announced later by Bantug, he said.
He thanked the people of Victorias for their trust, love and support for him as their mayor.
The mayor also thanked all those who encouraged and endorsed him to run for congressman
Benitez, in his speech, cited the legacies of improvement that his father and uncle as congressmen brought to the 3rd District.
“And as I am the youngest Benitez in public service today, I know that expectations are high for me,” he said.
Benitez will turn 30 years old in October.
“To me, this is more than just a legacy, this is also the future I will be a part of,” he added.
Benitez, at a press conference, said among his priorities as congressman will be climate resiliency and education reform.*