• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaints filed against Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez as well as members of the City Council on the allegedly overpriced acquisition of 74.7 hectares of agricultural land in Barangay Granada.
In a statement on April 27, Benitez welcomed the resolution junking the complaints filed against him and his co-respondents for alleged grave misconduct, violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, citing lack of sufficient and substantial evidence.
The complaints filed by radio blocktime anchorman Roger Ledesma cited supposed conflicts of interest among officials, and questioned the transfer of titles without clearances from the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Benitez said he has consistently maintained from the start that all actions taken in connection with the case were done in accordance with the law and due process, and were guided by what they believed to be in the best interest of the people of Bacolod.
The Ombudsman’s findings affirmed that there was no basis to hold them administratively or criminally liable, and that there was no clear showing of overpricing, conflict of interest, or bad faith in the transaction, the Bacolod lawmaker said.
“In short, everything was above board,” Benitez said.
He also acknowledged that public scrutiny is part of holding public officials accountable, adding that he respects the legal process.
With the matter now resolved, Benitez said his focus remains unchanged.
“We will continue to do the work, strengthening our local economy, improving basic services, and ensuring that every decision we make delivers real value to our people,” he added.
The Ombudsman ruled that there was no definite proof of overpricing, noting that the valuation was based on approved zonal values and proper appraisal procedures considering the property’s location, accessibility, infrastructure, and development potential.
On the allegation of conflict of interest, the resolution stated that membership in both the Appraisal Committee and Land Banking Committee did not automatically constitute a violation of law.
It also found no evidence that the respondents acted in bad faith, with manifest partiality, or gross negligence.
The city government acquired the 74.7587-hectare property in October 2023 for P971.86 million for land banking and future development projects.
Consequently, all charges were dismissed, along with the request for the preventive suspension of the respondents, including Councilors Al Victor Espino, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, Vladimir Gonzales, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Matea Flor, Psyche Marie Sy, Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen, Ayesha Joy Villaflor, and Jason Isidro Villarosa.
Other respondents are Bacolod City Deputy Register of Deeds Raymond Danico as well as land owners Jose Maria Ledesma, Sebastian Antonio Ledesma, Gerardo Ledesma, Eugenia Ledesma, and Antonio Maria Ledesma, who was earlier dropped from the complaint by reason of his death. | GB
