By PTV NEWS MD - October 18, 2018

BACOLOD CITY — Three out of seven candidates for congressional seats in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, are running unopposed in the May 2019 elections.

No one dared to challenge the three, based on the list of the Commission on Elections provincial office during the period of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) from October 11 to 17.

One of the sure winners is first-timer Jose Francisco Benitez, president of Philippine Women’s University, who is running for representative of the third district to succeed his elder brother, Alfredo Benitez, leader of Love Negros, who is now in his third and last term.

The younger Benitez, who filed his COC on Tuesday, said he will continue the unfinished programs of his brother and will champion bills on education in Congress.

The third district covers the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias and the municipalities of Murcia and E.B. Magalona.

Also running unopposed is Ma. Lourdes “Marilou” Arroyo-Lesaca, sister-in-law of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who filed her COC for representative of the fifth district on Tuesday.

Arroyo-Lesaca, who served as Kasangga party-list representative from 2007 to 2010, has a certificate of nomination and acceptance from both Lakas-CMD and United Negros Alliance (UNEGA).

Her entry to the congressional race led to the withdrawal of previous aspirants from UNEGA and Love Negros, whose leaders have expressed support to her candidacy.

Arroyo-Lesaca said she believes there is an “unfinished business” in the district after her brother, Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, passed away in the middle of his term as congressman in 2012.

The fifth district covers the Himamaylan City as well as towns of Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Isabela, La Castellana and Moises Padilla.

In the second district, incumbent Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva is also assured of a third and final term.

The lawmaker, whose jurisdiction includes the cities of Sagay and Cadiz and Manapla town, filed his COC on Tuesday. He is allied with the National Unity Party and UNEGA.

In the first district, incumbent Rep. Melecio Yap Jr. opted not to seek reelection, leaving the field wide open to San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor as well as opponents Ernesto Librando and Romulo Guion.

Incumbent Fourth District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, who is seeking a fresh mandate for a second term, will be challenged by Ann Joan Lenling and Enrique Erobas, while in the sixth district, former vice governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. is aiming a return to Congress with Joaquin Bilbao as challenger.

In the lone district of Bacolod City, Rep. Greg Gasataya’s reelection bid will be mainly challenged by former mayor Monico Puentevella, who previously served as congressman for three terms. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)