Billionaire businessman Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez officially announced that he is running for mayor of Bacolod City in 2022 at a press conference on Monday, July 19.
“I have seen enough, I have heard enough. The clamor of the people is undeniable and this is why I’m officially announcing that I am running for mayor of Bacolod in 2022,” Benitez said Monday, July 19.
“Bacolod City is drowning in corruption, lack of good governance, lack of direction so I cannot deny the clamor of the people,” he said.
Bacolod City has been lagging behind in development compared to its neighbors, he also said.
Benitez said he is running for mayor to address corruption, poor governance and to bring Bacolod to greater heights.
Benitez said his running for mayor of Bacolod is not personal, he is not mad at Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, this is something beyond them.
Leonardia could not be reached for comment on Monday.
“In the next couple of weeks I will reveal my slate,” Benitez said.
Benitez said he has not decided on whom to support for president in 2022, he is just focusing on Bacolod City.
Benitez, who is the former congressman of the third district of Negros Occidental and provincial consultant on economic affairs, made the announcement shortly after an Election Registration Board hearing of the opposition to his application to transfer his voter registration to Bacolod City.
Three Bacolod residents allied with Grupo Progreso, the party of Leonardia, want Benitez disqualified from voting in Bacolod City for allegedly not being a resident of Bacolod City.
Benitez said his camp has answered the oppositors complaint. The oppositors submitted additional position papers and they have three days to file the response.
We complied with all the requirements and submitted evidence that my residence is in Bacolod City, Benitez said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he wishes Benitez good luck in his run for mayor of Bacolod City.
“Congressman Albee has very good intentions for Bacolod and he also knows the challenges he has to face in the next election,” Lacson said.
The governor said Benitez is a person with very high competency, is very diligent in his work and would be a good public official for Bacolod City.*