BACOLOD CITY — The appointment of Rep. Francisco Benitez as the new director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) leaves a vacancy for the congressional seat in the third district of Negros Occidental.
Lawyer Ian Lee Ananoria, provincial election supervisor, told The Manila Times on Saturday that the House of Representatives has to decide whether to appoint a caretaker until next year's midterm elections or hold a special election for the vacant post.
Among the prospective leaders that may be appointed to replace Benitez include board member Manuel Frederick Ko, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, and Victories City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, nephew of the new Tesda chief.
Under Republic Act 6645, a law that establishes the procedure for filling a vacancy in the Congress of the Philippines, the Commission on Election "must receive a resolution from either the Senate or the House of Representatives certifying the existence of the vacancy and calling for a special election. If Congress is in recess, an official communication from the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives will suffice."
The appointment of Benitez as Tesda chief was announced on Friday.
His elder brother, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, told the new Tesda head that the appointment "serves as a recognition of your diligence and dedication to public service."
The mayor of Victorias also congratulated his uncle.
"With the Philippines expected to have the youngest population in Asia, your leadership is crucial in turning this demographic strength into a future-ready nation," he said.
The younger Benitez said that his uncle's plans of upskilling Filipinos in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other emerging technologies give them confidence that the youth are going to be well-prepared to navigate a rapidly evolving world.
"We, in Victorias City, are incredibly proud of you and commend President Marcos for his excellent choice," he added.
Despite his new appointment, Benitez assured his constituents in the third district of Negros Occidental that he will "always serve the people of the province."
"To my beloved people of third district, I may be moving to another role but we will not leave you behind. I will always remain at your service," Benitez said in a statement on Friday.
Benitez is on his second term as congressman when he was appointed on Friday.
Benitez was appointed by Marcos after Suharto Mangudadatu stepped down from the post to prepare for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Benitez is the chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development, and the vice chairman of the committee on the creative industry and performing arts.
The lawmaker has a master's and doctorate degrees in comparative literature (minor in Southeast Asian studies) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his bachelor's degree in comparative literature (summa cum laude) and English (cum laude) from Cornell University.
Private sector-led Philippine Business for Education last month endorsed Benitez for the post, saying his "former university president and champion of education" will allow him to bring a "unique blend of academic, managerial, and public policy expertise" as the leader of Tesda.
Benitez, meanwhile, thanked the President for the trust and confidence in him, and the Second Congressional Commission on Education for the nomination.
He is the nephew of former senator Helena Benitez, who authored Republic Act 5462, which established the National Manpower and Youth Council, the precursor of Tesda.
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