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BACOLOD CITY – Four congressmen from Negros Occidental are heading committees in the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress.
First-term third district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez heads the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts and was appointed assistant majority leader.
Benitez committed to strengthen laws that will protect creative industry stakeholders, further energize the culture and creative sector, and safeguard the intellectual and creative rights of creative industry workers.
“We will infuse new energy into this extensive industry, where Filipino creatives are known worldwide, and harness the huge economic potential it offers,” Benitez said.
He added that this is an opportunity to amplify the voices of the creative industry people for the benefit of every Filipino.
“I feel truly honored and humbled to have been selected for this role,” Benitez said as he thanked his colleagues in Congress for their trust and confidence in his leadership.
He said that he will be working with House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos in ensuring the efficient and productive flow of legislative work in Congress.
“I am committed to advancing statutory measures that reflect the aspirations and needs of every Filipino, and will carry this responsibility with courage and a deep sense of duty,” Benitrez added.
Former Vice Gov. and returning fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer was tapped to lead the powerful Committee on Legislative Franchises, while first district Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, also a returning lawmaker, was appointed chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
Second district Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, retained his chairmanship of the Committee on Natural Resources, a post he also held in the 19th Congress.
All four congressmen backed Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in his successful bid for House Speaker.
Benitez’s father, former Bacolod City mayor now Rep. Albee Benitez, was the only lawmaker from Negros Occidental who abstained from voting for Romualdez.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that he was not surprised that Rep. Javier Miguel was appointed due to his closeness with Marcos.
But Lacson noted that it is not just about his relationship with the son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos as the younger Benitez is also competent and capable.
“I know he will not just focus on his district, but the whole country, and we can also expect help for the whole province,” Lacson said as he congratulated him for his appointments.
Lacson said that all six lawmakers from the province supported Romualdez’s speakership, including sixth district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez and fifth district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo III.
He said that the older Benitez has his own prerogative and reasons for not supporting Romualdez’s bid for speakership. “We have to respect him for that, but it’s very clear that all our representatives are supporting the present administration,” Lacson said.
