Saturday, March 17, 2018
By Teresa D. Ellera

NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez said Friday, March 16, he is "within striking distance" among the Senatorial bets for the 2019 elections.

BACOLOD. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (right) welcomes Senator Risa Hontiveros and Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez (2nd from right) at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City Friday, as Second District Board Member Salvador Escalante Jr. looks on. (Teresa D. Ellera Photo)

This is based on the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

Benitez said he considers his ratings good, at around number 20 to 30, which was at the same ranking of Senator Joel Villanueva and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in surveys before the 2016 elections. The two senators are neophytes in the Senate.

The lawmaker said that another survey will be conducted by Pulse Asia this month.

“It's not only winnability that we are looking at. You still have to go back to the basic question why are you going to run. I think for any public servant who seeks an office, there has to be a reason. Not that you want a title or position, you need to have advocacy and mission,” he said.

However, Benitez is still undecided on what option to take in the 2019 elections.

He said he has several options including retirement, “even for barangay captain is an option.”

Benitez met with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City where they discussed the three summits they will hold in the coming weeks. They also discussed other things, which the solon didn’t elaborate.

He said he is also meeting with Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson this weekend, adding they may start discussing the 2019 elections.

He said that he will make the announcement about his future political plans when the right time comes. (TDE)