BY MAE SINGUAY & DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – “I am the first person that would never, ever break the law,” said Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in response to the accusations hurled by Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. last week.
During yesterday’s press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center, the city mayor said Teves’ claims were not ordinary dealings.
“I am actually bound by certain laws. The Terrorism Financing Preventive Suppression Act of 2012 specifies that any person, association, company, etcetera, directly or indirectly dealing with designated terrorists will be subjected to certain penalties. And in fact, the penalties even go as far as reclusion perpetua,” Benitez said.
In a statement on Aug. 1, Teves referred to Benitez as a “boss” with a “personal debt” to the former.
“Alam niyo naman boss ko si Albee Benitez, ‘di ba? Ka-negosyo ko rin si Albee Benitez. Kaibigan ko pero ngayon nga ‘di na ako pinapansin,” Teves said. “Ayoko sana na pangalanan kita, pero masyado na akong iniipit… Paki-bayaran naman ‘yung utang mo sa akin. Maawa ka naman sa pamilya ko.”
He, his brother and former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, and 11 others were tagged as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
Teves also questioned the ATC why he was branded a terrorist when he claimed to have business partners.
Teves’ legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, meanwhile, commented that since the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has decided to freeze Teves’ assets, then the AMLC should also freeze those of Benitez.
“I think the AMLC should be put on notice,” Topacio said.
On his part, Benitez asked Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla the parameters of how to go about it.
“He [Remulla] mentioned that it is better we address it in a proper forum,” the city mayor said.
Benitez added: “I have heard nga may mga allegations of certain business dealings, but as of now, I have no paper or any document that specifies or even indicates any association. But if he [Teves] says there is, siling ko gani, then that is something I will discuss with Secretary Boy [Remulla], and I will take it up with him. It is the proper authorities that should handle this.”
Benitez and Teves were together from 2013 to 2016 in Congress as members of the Visayan bloc./PN
