Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Wednesday, October 21, apologized to the people of Bacolod and Councilor Homer Bais for a public altercation that occurred during a dinner at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Friday.
Bais, in response, said there was no need for Benitez to apologize and that he was embarrassed the congressman felt it necessary to do so. The councilor added that he also apologizes for his outburst in response to Benitez during the altercation.
Bais pointed out that in his speech at the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod session earlier on Wednesday, he said they should just set aside what happened, move on and stick to the issue at hand.
The altercation stemmed from the call before the SP for a comprehensive report on the city government’s loans. Benitez sat down next to him on Friday and told him that he could ask him directly about the city’s loans, Bais previously said.
Bais said that when he asked Benitez to listen to him rather than to people who were “sipsip” (sucking up) to him, the lawmaker slammed the table in front of other city officials and raised his voice. The councilor said he was caught off guard and slammed the table as well.
Bais admitted telling the congressman, “So what if you’re Albee Benitez?” but denied that a fistfight nearly broke out. They were pacified by several city councilors, after which Bais said he left the venue without having dinner.
Bais at the SP session Wednesday said he stands by his duty as a public official above his political party to seek a comprehensive report on the status of the city’s loans and stick to the issue at hand.
Bais denied allegations that he engaged in continuous public criticism and political grandstanding that unfairly cast doubt on the integrity of fellow public servants.
Benitez, in a recorded statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, said he initially wanted to discuss the matter privately with Bais, “but I believe I now need to make a public statement.”
“Being a leader, we must show that we should control our emotions and be humble. Human as we are, sometimes we can’t control our emotions,” Benitez said.
Benitez said he did not want to justify his actions on Friday, “but I just want to convey to you, you know my behavior, that I don’t oppress my fellowmen, I didn’t mean that my approach would create embarrassment for you. That’s not my intention, but be that as it may, I am apologizing first to the people of Bacolod, and to you, Councilor Homer Bais.”
Benitez expressed hope that they could put the issue behind them and focus on providing clear, transparent, and open updates to the public regarding Bacolod City’s projects and programs.
Bais said he agrees that Benitez is not normally one who gets angry, “ I have known him as one the coolest person”.
The councilor previously explained that in July, the SP passed a resolution requesting comprehensive data on the city’s ₱6.1-billion loan, of which ₱4 billion was acquired under the Benitez administration and ₱2 billion under the Leonardia administration.
Besides addressing public inquiries, Bais said the resolution aims to guide policy direction, especially since the city will begin paying ₱450 million to ₱500 million annually toward the loan starting in 2027—an item that will be factored into the 2027 budget deliberations.
On Wednesday, Bais noted that the SP committees submitted their partial report on the loans and they will continue to focus on the matter.
Benitez also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency regarding the city government’s loan portfolio.*
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