Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez*
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said the leadership of the House of Representatives needs to be changed to restore public trust.
Benitez, at a press conference in Bacolod City on Saturday, Sept. 13, said it’s only a matter of time before House Speaker Martin Romualdez will have to step down.
“His position is no longer tenable, he has to make the supreme sacrifice,” Benitez said.
“It needs somebody, and I’m not saying it’s me, to cleanse the dirt hurled at Congress and turn the public image of its members around,” he added.
Benitez emphasized the need for an overhaul to cleanse the House, bring those accountable for the flood projects mess to justice, recover stolen funds, and reform the country’s infrastructure system.
He noted that some members of the House are already being implicated in the “flood control mess,” and there are suspicions of a possible cover-up.
He said Rep. Toby Tiangco (Navotas City) had to go to the Senate to disclose what he knew about the 2025 national budget.
On Tiangco’s endorsement for him to become the next Speaker, Benitez said it would have to be a collective decision by his colleagues.
Benitez said now is not the right time to be in Congress, as members are widely seen as thieves involved in anomalies.
“Whoever is in Congress right now feels the heat,” he said, adding, “What we want to show is a transparent, credible, and no-holds-barred investigation so those accountable can be brought to justice.”
FLOOD SUMMIT
When asked if the floodgate projects for Bacolod would be included in the national budget, Benitez said that valid and necessary projects must be justified because the problem of flooding still exists.
He also announced that preparations for a Bacolod flood control summit this month is ongoing and a pre-summit will be held on Monday, September 15.
The public is encouraged to contribute their inputs to a comprehensive flood control master plan.
Benitez said he has also asked barangay captains to submit their concerns and proposals.*