Governor backs Benitez for senator
by Paulo Loreto Lim on December 21, 2016
During the birthday celebration of Rep. Alfredo Benitez at the Victorias City Coliseum yesterday, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said his birthday wish for the congressman was to run for Senate.
According to the governor, with Benitez into his third and final term, he thinks he has a shot at national office.
Marañon added Negros Occidental has not produced a senator in a long time.
While both politicians have joined the ranks of President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban, the two are also associated with local rival factions; the governor is a member of United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and the congressman is a member of Love Negros.
Also present at the celebrations were Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano, among others./WDJ