Javi Benitez
Javi Benitez | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Negros Occidental's 3rd District | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jose Francisco Benitez |
| Mayor of Victorias | |
| In office June 30, 2022 – June 30, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Frederick P. Palanca |
| Succeeded by | Abelardo D. Bantug III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez October 8, 1994[1][2] |
| Party | PFP (since 2024) |
Other political affiliations | Independent (2021–2024) |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Jose Francisco Benitez (uncle) Helena Benitez (great-grandaunt) Conrado Benitez (great-great-grandfather) Francisca Tirona (great-great-grandmother) |
| Education | Santa Clara University (BS)[3] |
| Occupation | Politician |
Javier Miguel "Javi" Lopez Benitez (born October 8, 1994) is a Filipino politician and former actor who currently serves as the representative of Negros Occidental's 3rd district in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He succeeded his uncle, Jose Francisco Benitez. Prior to his election to Congress in 2025, Benitez served as Mayor of Victorias from 2022 to 2025.
Early life
[edit]Benitez is the son of Bacolod representative and former mayor Albee Benitez and Nikki Lopez-Benitez.[4] He is the nephew of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority TESDA Director General and former rformer Negros Occidental Third District Representative and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Jose.
Political Career
[edit]Mayor of Victorias (2022-2025)
[edit]Benitez was elected mayor of Victorias in the 2022 elections, running as an independent and receiving 36,263 votes (73.22%). He was sworn in on June 29, 2022, as the city's youngest mayor at 27[5]. He took his oath before his uncle Francisco "Kiko" Benitez.
On assuming office, he outlined a six-point agenda covering dignified human settlement, disaster-resilient communities, diversified economy, dynamic governance, education for all, universal healthcare[6].
During his term, Victorias opened its first business process outsourcing site[7], which initially employed 50 workers, as part of efforts to diversify the city’s economy. His administration also entered into an agreement supporting the national government’s housing program and secured ₱55 million for the construction of a command and evacuation center.
Other projects undertaken during his administration included the Sidlak Residential Complex, the Victorias City Command and Evacuation Center, Project VECTOR[8], Sidlak Learning Technologies, and partnerships involving digital payments and agricultural livelihood development. In 2024, the city also introduced a solar-powered water supply system intended to provide a clean and reliable water source for local communities.
Benitez delivered his final State of the City Address on May 5, 2025, in which he reviewed his administration’s programs and achievements. [9]
Awards received by Victorias City during Benitez's term
[edit]| Award | Awarding body | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance[10] | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2024 |
| Digital Democracy Award Champion[11] | Makati Business Club | 2024 |
| One of the Top Performing Agencies in Visayas and Mindanao | Government Service Insurance System | 2024 |
| Philippine Model City - Second Runner-up | The Manila Times | 2024 |
| Sustainability Champion[12] | The Manila Times | 2024 |
| Tourism and Culture Hub Champion | The Manila Times | 2024 |
| Tech Territory Champion | The Manila Times | 2024 |
| Food Security Enabler - First Runner-up | The Manila Times | 2024 |
| Outstanding BSP Stakeholder in the Visayas | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas | 2024 |
| Top 10 Most Improved Component City in the Philippines[13] | Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Department of Trade and Industry | 2024 |
| Top 5 Most Competitive Component City in Western Visayas | Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Department of Trade and Industry | 2024 |
| Outstanding Creative Proposal for the Lunsod Lunsad Victorias in Motion project | Department of Trade and Industry | 2024 |
| Fourth Place, Tourism Champions Challenge[14] | Department of Tourism | 2024 |
| Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping for fiscal year 2023 | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2024 |
| Digital Breakthrough Growth Awardee[15] | GCash | 2024 |
| Special Award and Plaque of Recognition | Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region VI | 2024 |
| Valuable Partner Award and Plaque of Appreciation | Bureau of Fire Protection Region VI | 2024 |
| Top 3 Performing Mayor in Western Visayas | RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. | 2024 |
| BAGANI Local Governance Awards -Potential Passer for the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance | Department of the Interior and Local Government–Negros Occidental | 2024 |
| BAGANI Local Governance Awards - Recognition for localizing the Local Governance Quizzard | Department of the Interior and Local Government–Negros Occidental | 2024 |
| Champion, 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition | Province of Negros Occidental | 2024 |
| Top 5 Passer of the 2022 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit | Provincial Council for the Protection of Children | 2024 |
| Top 4, Green Environment Award | Province of Negros Occidental | 2024 |
| 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2023 |
| 23rd Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence – Fully Compliant | Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council | 2023 |
| A Birder's Paradise - Top 5 LGU Proposal in the Tourism Champions Challenge | Department of Tourism | 2023 |
| Winner, Lunsod Lunsad: A Call for Creative Proposals | National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Department of Trade and Industry | 2023 |
| Third Place, Local Legislative Awards - Best-Performing Legislative Council | Philippine Councilors League and Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2023 |
| Electronic New Government Accounting System Grassroot Implementer Award | Government Financial Management Innovators Circle Inc. | 2023 |
| Top 3 Performing Mayor in Western Visayas | RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. | 2023 |
| 2022 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2023 |
| Monthly Report Completers Recognition | Public Libraries Division, National Library of the Philippines | 2023 |
| Best City Jail of the Year, Type B Category | Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region VI | 2023 |
| Plaque of Merit Awardee | Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region VI | 2023 |
| One of the Top-Performing Local Social Welfare and Development Offices in Region VI | Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI | 2023 |
| Social Protection Local Government Champion | Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI | 2023 |
| Social Protection Executive Champion | Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI | 2023 |
| 2022 Good Financial Housekeeping Passer | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2023 |
| Second Runner-up, Provincial Local Legislative Award | Department of the Interior and Local Government–Negros Occidental | 2023 |
| Special Recognition for Exemplary Public Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Civil Service Commission | 2022 |
| Special Citation for Support to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed and Extension Programs | Philippine Rice Research Institute | 2022 |
| National Passer of the 2021 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays | Department of the Interior and Local Government | 2022 |
| Top 1 Highest Increase in Assessed Real Property Units among Component Cities in Region VI | Bureau of Local Government Finance and Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors VI | 2022 |
| Exemplary Performance of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Peace and Order Council | Department of the Interior and Local Government - Negros Occidental and Region VI | 2022 |
| Highest Collection Efficiency on Premiums and Loans | Government Service Insurance System - Bacolod | 2022 |
| Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Award - Adaptability Level | Provincial Government of Negros Occidental | 2022 |
House of Representatives (since 2025)
[edit]
In the 20th Congress, Benitez became associated with a group of young lawmakers informally dubbed the “House Hotshots,” alongside Andrew Julian Romualdez, Brian Poe, and Ryan Recto. With an average age of just over 29, the group garnered media attention for their youth and perceived promise.[4]
Benitez, however, clarified that the moniker was not an official designation, quipping that he initially thought it signaled a boy band comeback. “It’s just a few of us young lawmakers trying to serve with purpose,” he wrote in a social media post. Despite the informal nickname, Benitez emphasized the group’s commitment to meaningful legislative work, stating, “Let’s earn it with action, not hype.” [16]
In the first month of Benitez's term, he has principally authored 44 house bills.[17]
Benitez was appointed as one of the assistant majority floor leaders in the House of Representatives. He was also appointed as chairman of the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts.[18] He serves as head of the Technical Working Group on Artificial Intelligence under the Committee on Information and Communications Technology and as head of the Technical Working Group on the Circular Economy.
| Committee Memberships | |
|---|---|
| Comittee | Position |
| Special Committee on Creative Industries[19] | Chairperson |
| Committee on Disaster Resilience | Vice Chairperson |
| Committee on Agriculture and Food | Member |
| Committee on Basic Education and Culture | Member |
| Committee on Dangerous Drugs | Member |
| Committee on Higher and Technical Education | Member |
| Committee on Information and Communications Technology | Member |
| Committee on Public Accounts | Member |
| Committee on Trade and Industry | Member |
| Committee on Ways and Means | Member |
| Committee on Appropriations | Member |
| Committe on Legislative Franchises | Member |
| Comittee on Visayas Development | Member |
| Committee on Women and Gender Equality | Member |
| Committee on Globalization and WTO | Member |
Personal life
[edit]Benitez was previously in a long-term relationship with actress Sue Ramirez. In November 2024, he confirmed their breakup, stating in an Instagram post that although they had built a meaningful relationship over five years, they had parted ways several months earlier.[20]
Electoral history
[edit]| Year | Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Swing | |||||
| 2022 | Mayor of Victorias | IND | 36,263 | 73.22% | 1st | N/a | Won | |
| 2025 | Representative (Negros Occidental–3rd) | PFP | 200,044 | 92.03% | 1st | N/a | Won | |
References
[edit]- ↑ Hicap, Jonathan (October 9, 2023). "Sue Ramirez greets boyfriend Javi Benitez on his birthday". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Javi Benitez". Javi Benitez. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ "Javi Benitez". Javi Benitez. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- 1 2 Quismorio, Ellson (2025-07-09). "Meet the 'House Hotshots'; find out what they have in common". Manila Bulletin.
- ↑ Masculino, Glazyl (2022-07-01). "Actor Javi Benitez sworn in as youngest mayor of Victorias City in Negros Occidental". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Pedrosa, Merlinda A. (2025-05-07). "Victorias mayor delivers final Soca". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ "Newest BPO initially hires 50 in northern Negros". Archived from the original on 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ sunnexdesk@gmail.com (2023-02-01). "Victorias starts digital city transformation". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Weekly, Negros (2025-05-06). "Victorias is victorious, stronger than ever before: Benitez SOCA". Negros Now Daily. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Weekly, Negros (2024-10-13). "Victorias City lauded for commitment to public service". Negros Now Daily. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ "MBC launches first Digital Democracy Awards for LGUs – Makati Business Club | non-profit business association | business forum Philippines". Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ "Victorias City secures P13-M cash grant to develop birdwatching site | Philippine News Agency". www.pna.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Beltran, Roger (2024-11-05). "Victorias named most improved WV component city". Visayan Daily Star. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Adel, Rosette. "Tourism Champions Challenge' LGU winners to receive P255M grant". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ "Bacolod, Victorias win digital excellence awards". Digicast Negros. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Quismorio, Ellson (July 10, 2025). "'Akala ko boy band': Javi Benitez, 'House Hotshots' out to prove their worth". Manila Bulletin.
- ↑ "Javi Benitez". 20th Congress. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ↑ "Bacolod: 4 Negros Occidental lawmakers secure House committee posts". Radio Philippines Network. 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ↑ "Javi named House assistant majority leader, other Negros lawmakers to head committees". Digicast Negros. 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Acar, Aedrianne (November 10, 2024). "Javi Benitez announces breakup with Sue Ramirez". GMA Network.
- 21st-century mayors of places in the Philippines
- Mayors of places in Negros Occidental
- Politicians from Quezon City
- 1994 births
- Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Negros Occidental
- Independent politicians in the Philippines
- Filipino actor-politicians
- Partido Federal ng Pilipinas politicians
- Living people
- Hiligaynon people