Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Monday, October 19, reaffirmed his commitment to transparency regarding the city government’s Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) loan.
“We are all for transparency and accountability. I take the issue of the DBP loan seriously, which is precisely why I have consistently pushed for the presentation of the facts, the amounts released, and the updated status of the various projects being implemented,” Benitez said.
Benitez issued the statement following an altercation with Bacolod Councilor Homer Bais at a dinner at the Bacolod City Government Center during the Electric MassKara on Friday, which has since gone public.
Bais said Benitez sat down next to him and told him that he could directly ask him about the city’s loan.
Bais explained that in July, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution asking for comprehensive data on the city’s ₱6.1-billion loan, of which ₱4 billion was made under the Benitez administration and ₱2 billion under the Leonardia administration.
Besides addressing the public’s questions, Bais said the resolution is also for policy direction, especially since in 2027 the city will start paying ₱450 million to ₱500 million for the loan, an item that will be included in the 2027 budget deliberations.
Bais said that when he asked Benitez to listen to him and not to the versions of people being “sipsip (sucking up)” to him, the latter slammed the table in front of other city officials.
The councilor said he was caught off guard and slammed the table as well.
Bais said he told the congressman, “So what if you’re Albee Benitez?” but denied that there was a near fistfight. They were calmed down by several city councilors, after which Bais left the venue.
Bais said he stands by his call for a comprehensive report on the status of the city’s loans and wants to stick to the issue, emphasizing that it is nothing personal.
Benitez, in a press statement on Monday, said he initially wanted to personally present these updates to the public, but some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod suggested that the review be undertaken officially by the City Council.
“I respected that decision. The three committees have already finalized their report and agreed to present their findings to the public after the MassKara Festival,” Benitez said.
Benitez added that he called Bais’s attention “because his continuing public criticisms, in my view, created the unfair impression that the City Council and his own colleagues were hiding something from the public.”
He said he had reached out to Bais several times and made himself available to discuss his questions and concerns directly.
“There is nothing wrong with demanding transparency. What concerns me is when it becomes political grandstanding, creating the impression that one person alone is fighting for accountability while his colleagues are deliberately withholding information,” Benitez said.
This disregards the work already undertaken and unfairly casts doubt on the integrity of fellow public servants who are equally committed to transparency, he added.
“We can demand accountability without undermining one another. We can ask difficult questions without turning every issue into an opportunity for personal recognition,” Benitez said.
He said it is unfair to build one’s political image at the expense of fellow party members who are working toward the same goal.
“This is not how a party-mate should behave. Our responsibility is to the people of Bacolod. The focus should remain on presenting the facts, ensuring that the projects are properly implemented, and keeping the public fully informed,” Benitez said.*
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