Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez sidesteps reelection bid, eyes Congress

BACOLOD, Philippines – Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is not seeking a second office term. He filed his certificate of candidacy for representative of Bacolod’s lone district instead on Tuesday, October 8.

Benitez’s move came as a surprise to many Bacolodnons, especially his Team Asenso supporters.

Benitez’s political ally, Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya, filed his COC for mayor. The congressman is serving his third and final term.

Gasataya’s running mate is Bacolod Councilor Jesus Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella, son of former congressman and mayor Monico Puentevella.

The Benitez-Gasataya-Puentevella ticket is running under the local slate of Asenso Bacolod.

Benitez told a news conference his decision to run with Gasataya was a “win-win” situation.

Before he became mayor, Benitez served as Negros Occidental’s 3rd District representative from 2010 to 2019. In 2022, he defeated the well-entrenched former mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia by a margin of more than 60,000 votes.

Leonardia has also filed his COC for Bacolod congressman under the Nacionalista Party (NP) and would face off with Benitez.

“I was ready in 2022. I am more than ready for 2025,” Benitez said. – Rappler.com