on Tuesday, May 09, 2017
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Will Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez run for senator in 2019?

Benitez is currently on his third and last term as congressman of the third district of Negros Occidental.

His Love Negros ally, Acting Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, when asked if Benitez will run for governor of the province in 2019, said “I know for a fact that the congressman (Benitez) was given a slot for the Senate by no less than House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.”

Benitez, when asked if he would run for the Senate under the administration party, said “It was only mentioned by the speaker. I will double check with him first.”

Lacson said Benitez is on his last term as congressman and has many options for 2019. They have not sat down to discuss plans for the next election, he added.

Lacson is also seen as a likely gubernatorial candidate for 2019.

“It is too early to announce definite plans for 2019, I have not made any decision on what I will do, that decision will come next year,” he said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who is also on his third and last term as governor, has designatedLacson acting governor this week while he leads a Negros trade mission in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Lacson said he only received the executive order designating him acting governor,Marañon did not give him any specific instructions for the week.

There is no need to designate an acting vice governor since the governor will only be gone for a short period, Lacson said.

The provincial boardmembers will elect among themselves who will be presiding officer for the SangguniangPanlalawigan regular session tomorrow, Lacson said.*CPG