BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Friday, December 21, 2018

The birthday celebration yesterday of Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who is now on his last term as congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, in Talisay City, was just short of a political rally, with the presence of senatorial and local candidates for the May elections next year, and 19,008 barangay leaders of Asenso in the 3rd district.

More thsn 19,000 Asenso leaders of the 3rd district, senatorial candidates Ronald dela Rosa and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and local leaders joined yesterday the birthday celebration of Rep. Albee Benitez in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Gilbert Bayoran photos

Those present included senatorial candidates, former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, who spoke on their political plans.

Benitez, who described the gathering of barangay leaders in the 3rd district as “very successful”, disclosed last night that the presence of Marcos and Dela Rosa indicated their importance to the district in next year’s election.

Dela Rosa said he will push for the imposition of the death penalty if elected, while Marcos said she will seek 5-year terms for elected barangay officials and health benefits.

Benitez, who will be succeeded by his brother, Dr. Francisco Benitez, who is unopposed in the 3rd district congressional race, said that he will continue to push for the creation of the Department of Human Settlement, which was already approved by Congress, and is waiting to be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.

A main proponent of the proposed bill in the House of Representatives, with re-electionist Senator JV Ejercito as counterpart in the Senate, Benitez disclosed that its creation will be a big boost to the effort of the government to provide decent shelter, especially to informal ones.

Benitez also expressed support for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, that was already approved at the committee level, and is scheduled for deliberation in the plenary.

Also at the barangay leaders’ assembly were Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Paduano, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Mayors Francis Frederick Palanca, Marvin Malacon, Mark Golez, Neil Lizares, Andrew Montelibano, Enrique Miravalles, Ernesto Agustin Bascon, vice-mayors and councilors of the 3rd district, among others.

The crowd was also entertained by some movie personalities, like Gabby Concepcion, at the activity that ended with a raffle draw.

Talisay City had the most number of registered participants with 4,663, followed by EB Magalona – 4,215, Silay City – 4,117, Victorias City- 3,750 and Murcia – 2,263.*