If Rep. Alfredo Benitez accepts the offer of President Benigno Aquino to run for senator under the Liberal Party in the May 2016 elections, the congressional race for the 3 rd district of Negros Occidental may end up as a free-for-all fight with EB Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson and his cousin, Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, also among the possible candidates.

Montelibano, who is on his second term as mayor of Murcia, said Friday that he will run for congressman, if Benitez accepts the offer of the President to run for senator, and if he gets his endorsement for the congressional post.

He made the announcement after Mayor Lacson announced his intention to join the 3 rd district congressional race, if Benitez will run for senator.

“If Albee is not there, I might be,” Mayor Lacson had said.

During their last week meeting, Montelibano said Benitez mentioned the Senate, and the offer of President Aquino for him to run for senator. He, however, said he told Benitez that the 3 rd district needs him more, and that whoever will replace him will have a hard time coping up with what he has done for the district.

Benitez is still on his second term as a congressman of the 3 rd district of Negros Occidental, while Mayor Lacson is now on his last term in EB Magalona.

But whatever the decision of Benitez is, Montelibano said he assured him of his support. If Benitez decides to run for the Senate and gives me his anointment, why not? Montelibano said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has reportedly been pushing Benitez, who is the Liberal Party provincial chairman, to seek a higher national position.

Mayor Lacson supported the re-election of Gov. Marañon during the May 2012 election, while Mayor Montelibano and Board Member Lacson sided with former Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez. However, the three of them supported the re-election of Rep. Benitez in the 3 rd district.

Montelibano also revealed that they are considering fielding their cousin, Board Member Patrick Leonard Lacson as mayor of EB Magalona in the 2016 elections. The name of the wife of Mayor Lacson, Risa, is also being floated as a possible candidate for the town mayoral position.

“The family is not entering into the decision. We will leave the decision to both of them,” Montelibano said, apparently referring to his two cousins, Mayor Lacson and Board Member Lacson, on their political plans in EB Magalona.

Asked about the possibility of a Lacson vs. Lacson race in EB Magalona, Montelibano admitted “It is a very hard scenario. If they go head on, I don't know what will happen,” he added.

During the 1992 congressional race, the father of Mayor Montelibano, Alex, lost to then Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, who is also a relative of his mother.

Former Gov. Daniel Lacson Jr. who is the father of Board Member Lacson, and Bart Lacson, father of Mayor Lacson, are brothers, while their elder sister, Ofelia, is the mother of Mayor Montelibano.*GPB

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