Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez*
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Saturday, Oct. 4, assured that full transparency is being observed in the preparation of the 2026 national budget and that he met with the head of a private sector group investigating flood control projects in Bacolod City.
Benitez said he met Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Council of Concerned Citizens (C3) lead convenor, whose group is investigating government-constructed flood control projects implemented in Bacolod City.
Buenafe informed him that they are for good governance and accountability and are against corruption, Benitez said, and “I told him so are we”.
The Church officials are meeting on Monday and they “will let us know on how we can move forward”, Benitez said.
On some members of the C3 being his political opponents in the last election, Benitez said if witch hunting is their purpose that is a different story.
He also assured that there are government agencies and the Independent Commission on Infrastructure already investigating flood control implemented nationwide.
Meanwhile, to ensure transparency in the national budget, Benitez said all deliberations being publicly broadcasted.
Once the budget is approved at the plenary there will be no more changes, he said.
The investigation of flood control projects are also ongoing in both houses of Congress, Benitez said.*