Mayoral candidate Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez vowed to bring change to Victorias City in Negros Occidental by providing more opportunities and improved services for Victoriahanons.
Benitez, who addressed a crowd estimated by the police and more than 8,000 at the Victorias City Public Plaza Tuesday night, April 26, said service for Victorias runs in his blood.
Benitez, at his Sidlak sa Malihan grand rally, said he will lead by listing to the needs of the people.
Now is the time for change in Victorias, he said.
Benitez vowed to bring a dignified human settlement for all, proper zoning through urban planning, measures to mitigate and prevent natural disasters such as flooding, economic opportunities and jobs to fight poverty and hunger, put priority on education and strengthen universal health care.
He said he will not stoop to the negative campaigning and desperate acts of his opponents.
“I forgive you, I will continue praying for you,” Benitez told his detractors.
He also called on the crowd to vote for the entire Team Asenso Victoriahanon slate.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer are supporting Benitez for mayor.
He is young with fresh ideas for the improvement of Victorias, Lacson said.
He told the Victoriahanons not to mind the black propaganda being hurled against Benitez
Lacson also called on the crowd to vote for the Abang Lingkod Partylist because Victorias Mayor Francis Palanca is its second nominee.
Also present at the rally were the mayoral candidate’s father former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, his uncle Rep. Francisco Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District), girlfriend actress Sue Ramirez, and board members Manuel Frederick Ko and Andrew Montelibano.
Ramirez said her wish is for Javi Benitez to win because his priority is to serve the people of Victorias.
The cheering crowd at the rally stayed despite the rain at the start of the event and were entertained by the Brownman Revival and Belong to the Zoo bands, and Bamboo.*