• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Could Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez be the next House Speaker?
It all depends on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the House leaders, aside from Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, his son, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said in an interview on Sunday (Sept. 7).
The name of Benitez again cropped up, following the disclosure of contractor-couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya that lawmakers got percentages of funds from projects, with name of Romualdez being used to obtain commissions from infrastructure projects.
On Monday afternoon, Senator Vicente Sotto III replaced Senator Francis Escudero as the Senate President.
Escudero has received a P30-million campaign donation, a contractor said.
“Congressman Albee will not push himself, if hindi gusto ng mga tao. I think, where this is coming from, is also from other House members, who are feeling the need for change and stability,” the younger Benitez said.
Last weekend, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin condemned the “recent spins” of House of Representatives members, whom he said were “attempting to shift the blame for their own corruption and failures onto the Executive Branch.”
“I think we need more stability,” the neophyte lawmaker said. “And Congressman Albee brings that stability. We’ll see. We will find out in the next few days or weeks the true sentiments of the people within the House”.
The Bacolod congressman did not vote for Romualdez for Speaker of the 20th Congress. He now belongs to the independent bloc.
The younger Benitez said it will be an advantage for Negros, if his father gets the Speakership.
“The Speaker of the House sets the order of business, agenda, and can determine where the funds go. That is why, it is very important who we choose as Speaker, not only for now, for the next few Congresses, if ever,” he added.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Negrense lawmaker called on the national leaders to find a working solution to the division of government institutions.
“We cannot afford prolonged political theatrics. What we need is accountability with cooperation, debate with respect and unity with purpose. This is how we strengthen our institutions, restore trust and show that the Philippines is a trusted leader and dependable partner on the world stage,” he added. | GB
