• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and his son, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, on Tuesday (Sept. 16) pushed for transparency and accountability in the House of Representatives as they expressed respect to the stand of their colleagues, who issued a manifesto of support for Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a statement, the elder Benitez made it clear that he is independent.
“I did not support Speaker Romualdez for the speakership, and I maintain that position,” he said.
Benitez added: “To continue expressing support for him now would only be seen as condoning and protecting him, when in fact serious issues remain unresolved”.
Among these are “the controversy on alleged ghost flood control projects, questionable budget insertions, and the lack of transparency in the budget process, which all point to the leadership of the Speaker.”
He said though that he understands why some of his fellow lawmakers from the Negros Island Region (NIR) signed the manifesto.
“They are simply trying to ensure that their districts will not suffer, and I respect that. But as for me, I have chosen to stand by my independent stance because my priority is to uphold integrity and accountability in Congress,” Benitez said.
Meanwhile, the younger Benitez said that while he did not sign the manifesto, he is still part of the majority, stressing that he has not resigned.
He clarified as well that his father did not issue any statement that he will be vying for the Speakership.
“So it seems that it’s more of a threat than reality,” the neophyte lawmaker said as he acknowledged that politics is at play among parties.
“If you look at history, even if many sign manifestos of support, shifts happen when the wind changes, or when there is what some call a ‘blessing from above.’ For now, we leave it at that,” he added.
The younger Benitez said the House of Representatives must confront the allegations of corruption.
“Transparency and accountability are what people are demanding. The revelations in Senate and House hearings may not yet show the complete picture, so investigations must continue. But people are growing impatient, and they are waiting to see justice,” he pointed out.
In a statement of manifesto, the majority of the NIR legislators stood firmly behind Romualdez.
“We are convinced that Speaker Romualdez provides the stability and leadership needed to transform the law creating NIR into real benefits for our people – better infrastructure, stronger local governance, and opportunities that reach every community in our islands,” they said.
Negros Occidental Fifth District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, who was among the signatories in the manifesto, said he backed Romualdez because of his support to his district, particularly during the Kanlaon Volcano disaster and the flooding incidents. | GB
