By: Carla P. Gomez - Correspondent / @carlagomezINQ
September 03, 2018

BACOLOD CITY-Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez of the 3rd district is no longer running for senator in 2019.

He said he told stalwarts of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) not to include his name in the survey since he has decided not to run.

When asked why, he replied: “I don’t need a position to help others.”

Last Friday, about 300 PDP-Laban leaders were asked whom they would like to support as the party’s senatorial candidates in next year elections during their assembly in Pasay City.

The survey form didn’t include the name of Benitez, apparently in deference to the request of the congressman.

But Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, PDP-Laban president, and Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez earlier said he was among those being considered.

Negros Occidental officials were saddened by his decision not to run for senator.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon said the province just lost the opportunity to have a senator of its own.

“Negros Occidental has not had a senator for a long long time. Benitez was the one who had the potential and the means to make a go for it,” he said.

Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he respected the congressman’s decision and vowed to support him should he run for senator in 2022.

Although he was on his last term as congressman, Benitez, leader of the Visayas-bloc in the House, said he might not also run for governor.

Benitez and Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson both belong to Love Negros and have been named as potential candidates for governor of Negros Occidental in 2019.

But Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist), a close ally of Benitez, said that if a merger between Love Negros and the United Negros Alliance of Marañon pushes through, the congressman would have to give way to Lacson and opt not to run.