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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Javi Benitez meets BINI as part of preps for creative industries panel chairmanship

Javi Benitez meets BINI as part of preps for creative industries panel chairmanship

Published Aug 1, 2025 12:34 pm

At A Glance

  • Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez takes his designation as chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industries in the 20th Congress very seriously.
Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez (center) with P-Pop group BINI (5th from left)
Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez (center) with P-Pop group BINI (5th from left)


Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez takes his designation as chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industries in the 20th Congress very seriously.
Literally just one day after landing the position, Benitez went around attending events and holding meetings with personalities that would help him get a better feel of the job.
These include the movers and shakers of the local entertainment industry. BINI, the current flag-bearer of Pinoy pop, was among the people the neophyte congressman rubbed elbows with.
"We also met the members of BINI together with Mr. Michael Tan during the Alagang Suki Festival along with other artists like Gary V and Belle Mariano. We were honored to be invited by UNILAB and Mercury Drug for their 80th Anniversary Concert," Benitez wrote in a Facebook post late Thursday night, July 31.
The "House Hotshots" member also met with previous panel chairman, former congressman Chistopher "Toff" de Venecia of Pangasinan.
"Nakipagpulong din tayo kay Cong. Toff De Venecia, dating Chairman ng komite, kasama ang kanyang team upang matutunan ang mga inisyatibong nasimulan na at ang mga hamon na dapat tugunan," he wrote.
(We also held a meeting with Cong. Toff De Venecia, former Ccairman of the committee, along with his team to learn about the initiatives already underway and the challenges that need to be addressed.)
"Naniniwala tayo na ang mga ito ay mahalagang unang hakbang sa mas malalim na pag-unawa sa kalagayan ng creative industries sa ating bansa. Pinatibay nito ang ating pananaw, pinalawak ang ating koneksyon, at pinatindi ang ating paninindigan na itaguyod ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong alagad ng sining at malikhaing manggagawa. ," Benitez said in hitting the ground running.
(We believe these are crucial first steps toward a deeper understanding of the state of the creative industries in our country. They have strengthened our perspective, broadened our networks, and intensified our resolve to champion the welfare of Filipino artists and creative workers.)
Benitez has also been named assistant majority leader.
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