Benitez to serve pro bono
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, yesterday said five executive assistant appointments had been formalized with Dr. Jonathan Lobaton, Francis Velez, and Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio designated under the title executive assistant IV. In addition, Attys. Cherrie Valenzuela and Kathleen Ann King were also assigned as executive assistants.
He noted, Bedrio will be posted to the Provincial Legal Office, while King and Valenzuela will be assigned to his office.
Meanwhile, former Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who was earlier reported as an incoming consultant for investor promotions, announced he will not be taking a salary during his tenure at the post.
Last year, while the Negros Occidental Provincial Board was in the process of renewing contracts for 14 consultants with the administration of former Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., then-Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr. affirmed monthly costs for consultants came to P600,000.
While compensation typically ranges between P42,000 and P52,000 a month, Rafael Coscolluela, who consulted on investment promotions, trade and export development, and inter-agency coordination, was paid P91,000 a month; the same went for finance and administrative concerns consultant Roy Balicas./DGB, WDJ