BACOLOD City – Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has defended his push for transparency in the city government’s loans from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), while criticizing what he described as political grandstanding by fellow party member and City Councilor Homer Bais following their heated exchange on October 16.
In a statement titled “On the DBP Loan Issue and the Conduct of a Party-Mate,” Benitez said he had consistently sought the disclosure of loan proceeds released, projects funded and their implementation status.
He said he initially intended to personally present the information to the public but respected the recommendation of some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) that the review be conducted through the City Council.
According to Benitez, the three committees handling the matter had finalized their report and agreed to present their findings to the public after the MassKara Festival.
Benitez said he called Bais’ attention because the councilor’s continued public criticisms allegedly created the impression that the City Council and its members were concealing information from the public.
He added that he had reached out to Bais several times and remained available to discuss the councilor’s questions and concerns.
While recognizing the importance of transparency, Benitez cautioned against using the issue for personal political recognition.
“We can demand accountability without undermining one another. We can ask difficult questions without turning every issue into an opportunity for personal recognition,” Benitez said.
He added that it was unfair to build one’s political image at the expense of fellow party members working toward the same goal.
“Transparency is a shared responsibility, not a personal political trophy,” he said.
Bais, meanwhile, confirmed that he and Benitez had a heated exchange shortly before the opening of the Electric MassKara festivities at the Bacolod City Government Center on Oct. 16.
Bais said he was surprised when Benitez approached him and questioned him about the DBP loan issue.
He explained that the City Council had approved a resolution directing the appropriate committee to submit a comprehensive report on the city’s loans covering the administrations of former mayor Evelio Leonardia and Benitez.
According to Bais, the argument intensified after remarks were made about people allegedly flattering the congressman.
Bais recounted that Benitez struck the table, prompting him to do the same before challenging the congressman. He said Councilor Caesar Distrito intervened and calmed him down.
Bais eventually left the venue before the program started, saying he did not want the commotion to escalate.
The confrontation has renewed attention on the city’s DBP loans and calls for clarification on the amounts released, the projects financed and their implementation status.
Available figures indicate that the city borrowed P1.7 billion from DBP during Leonardia’s administration and P4.4 billion during Benitez’s tenure as mayor./PN
