BACOLOD City – Following the recent appointment of Francisco Benitez as Secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Abang Lingkod party-list representative Stephen Paduano has been designated as the legislative caretaker for the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.
The vacancy arose after Benitez, who previously represented the district, was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to his Cabinet on August 16.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez received directives from the President to ensure the district was adequately managed following Benitez’s departure.
On September 4, Benitez expressed his approval of Paduano’s appointment on social media.
“We thank and applaud House Speaker Romualdez and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe for their excellent choice and support,” Benitez said.
Paduano is a Negrense.
Benitez voiced his full confidence in Paduano’s capability to represent the district effectively and to oversee the ongoing projects and initiatives he had initiated.
Benitez emphasized his trust in Paduano to continue the work and ensure that their shared vision for the district is achieved by the conclusion of the 19th Congress in June 2025./PN
