Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez’s recent abstention during the House speakership vote for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has sent ripples through both Bacolod’s local political landscape and the national legislature.
Understanding his motivations and the potential consequences for the lone district of Bacolod and national governance requires a nuanced look at both his principles and the realpolitik of Philippine Congress.
Rep. Albee Benitez made it clear that his decision to abstain was rooted in concerns about House leadership and governance under Speaker Romualdez. He emphasized that what Congress needs, especially in the final stretch of President Marcos Jr.’s term, is a unifying leader, not one perpetuating division or “pulling down” the President. In a climate where the lower chamber faces deep factionalism and where the 2025 national budget was mired in accusations of “blank line items” and politicized allocations, his abstention signaled a protest against these practices rather than a mere personal or partisan maneuver.
Notably, instead of formally joining the opposition minority, he, along with a handful of other lawmakers, declared himself an independent. This “independent” status is significant as it communicates dissatisfaction not only with Speaker Romualdez, but with how bloc politics is wielded in the current Congress.
Abstaining from the majority, and especially from the Speaker’s camp, almost always risks repercussions in a system where pork-barrel politics remains entrenched. The Speaker and the majority have substantial sway over the distribution of district funds, project approvals, and budget insertions. By not supporting House Speaker Romualdez, he exposes Bacolod to the possibility of having its allocations for major infrastructure or social programs deprioritized or reduced, especially in the short term.
The national funding to construct a coastal road, pump gates, and floodgates to ease flooding, expanding the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) nationwide, and streamlining bureaucracy to accelerate government project implementation is at risk, but not for eternity, as after 2028, this could still be funded in the next administration.
Congress has a history of quietly penalizing dissenting lawmakers with slimmer budgets or slower approval for local projects.
However, his high profile and the visibility of his advocacy for transparency, and his continued popularity in Bacolod, could potentially offset this. His independent stance might even galvanize civic support or drive national attention to any deliberate deprivation of funds.
Rep. Benitez’s move reinforces his reputation as a champion for clean governance, transparency, and accountability in public service—consistent with his initiatives as Bacolod mayor and former lawmaker. His forthrightness could energize constituents who desire an end to “trapo” (traditional politics), appealing especially to younger voters or civic-minded Bacolodnons.
His abstention, alongside a growing number of independents, may encourage a healthier discourse in Congress, shifting focus towards greater transparency and genuine legislative oversight.
His abstention, however, exposes his risk of losing political capital within Congress and jeopardizing Bacolod’s share of national projects, as leadership allies often reward loyalty and solidarity. His independent bloc status lessens his direct influence on policymaking and committee assignments, potentially muting Bacolod’s voice on key national issues.
His abstention is an act of principle, signaling resistance to questionable practices and a call for unity and transparency in government. While this may put Bacolod’s immediate funding for national projects at some risk, I see him as a reformist leader, one willing to challenge entrenched interests for the long-term good.
In an environment where dissent is often punished, Rep. Benitez’s stand elevates the public conversation about political accountability and the true purpose of legislative service. ||
