Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez is weighing the possibility of leading the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), should incumbent Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. seek a Senate seat and if President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. offers him the role.
Lawyer Caesar Distrito, Benitez’s spokesperson, said that since Marcos took office, the Bacolod City mayor had been considered for a cabinet position. Benitez, however, declined the offer, feeling his services are more needed in Bacolod until the end of his term in 2025.
“If the DILG post is offered to Mayor Benitez, the mayor will carefully consider all factors before making a decision,” Distrito said.
Distrito added that Benitez is deliberating his decision based on what is best for Bacolod and its residents. Benitez frequently switches affiliations throughout his political career. He was previously allied with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speculation about Benitez potentially becoming the next DILG Secretary gained traction after Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson suggested that Abalos might run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.
Lacson earlier denied having inside information about Abalos’s potential resignation or Benitez’s possible appointment.
Benitez has not issued an official statement regarding the report or his future plans for the 2025 elections.
He is considering several options, including seeking re-election as Bacolod City mayor, switching places with Rep. Greg Gasataya for a seat back to the House of Representatives, pursuing a senatorial bid, accepting a Cabinet position, if offered, or leaving politics altogether.
