By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
MAINSTREAM and social media, including coffee shops in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, went abuzz for days because of the “luhod-bisa” (kneel-and-kiss) tale in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
The dramatis personae are 25-year-old movie and television actor Javi Benitez and 52-year-old lending magnate Pacifico “Jun” Adorio III.
Javi, a mayoral candidate in Victorias, is the son of billionaire and gaming mogul Albee Benitez who is also running for mayor in Bacolod City.
Jun, on the other hand, is the son of re-electionist city councilor Virginia Adorio who’s a party-mate of Javi under Team Asenso-Victorias.
The Adorios are known political allies of the Palanca, Bantug and Benitez clans in Victorias.
JUN’S CLAIM
Jun, on April 20, held a press conference at the Manokan Country in Bacolod. While sobbing, he told the media that Javi, on March 28, and through a certain James Gulmatico, invited him at the Benitez-owned BBB Arcade in Victorias.
With them that time, he said, were Gulmatico, Liga ng mga Barangay (Victorias Chapter) president RJ Sablan, Councilor JunB Bantug and Provincial Board Member Jovie Pepillo.
According to Jun, Javi berated him for liking a Facebook (FB) post of a certain Alberto Lacson.
The controversial post included a photo of the three Benitezes – Javi, his dad Albee and uncle Cong. Kiko of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental – who were extremely wet on stage due to a heavy downpour during the opening salvo of the Team Asenso-Victorias campaign on March 24.
The FB post was marked with a red letter “X” coupled with nasty caption about political dynasty.
“With all candor, I explained to him (Javi) that I instantly like the post when I saw their photo because seeing the three of them under the rains was admirable,” said Jun in the press conference.
He added: “In all honesty, I am not that savvy with socmed (social media). I didn’t bother reading the caption as my instinct dictated that I should click (LIKE) upon seeing the candidates that I and my family are supporting.”
Nonetheless, Jun said he asked for apologies and Javi replied, “Ti, sige okay na ah!”
According to Jun, he thought everything was okay already. But when he was nearing the door to go out, Javi blocked the exit, he claimed.
Jun further claimed the actor ordered him, “Kneel!” and followed this with another order, “Bisa!”
“I was at a loss,” said Jun. “Totally in a state of shock, I didn’t know anymore what was going on. I got cold feet and my head was like frozen for a long time. I was numb, empty and obviously in fear.”
Then, Jun said, “I heard another reverberating order: “Luhod!”
“I started collecting myself. I complied with the order against my will, hoping that if I knelt before him, it would pacify him. I thought that was the end to it until he obliged me to kiss his hand (bisa).”
JAVI’S SIDE
Clearly, this is political, retorted Javi through an official statement released to the media the following morning (Thursday).
“Why should I do such a thing?”
“There’s no truth to what he (Jun) is saying,” added the young actor.
“His allegations are baseless, false, malicious, and a stretch of his imagination – aiming to besmirch my good reputation and character that I worked hard to protect.”
Moreover, Javi said, “It was my first time to meet him.”
Added Javi, “One thing is certain, at the right time, matters like this will be dealt with accordingly at the proper forum.”
‘SHOCKED’
Hours after Javi released his statement, Jun’s mom, the 72-year-old Councilor Virgie with the aid of Asenso’s publicist Laarni Aguilar, also faced the media.
There, she said she was “shocked” with what was going on, including her son’s decision to face the media.
“Wala ko nagpinsar nga amo gid na kadalum,” she said of the current mess.
Councilor Virgie said her first reaction was, “Ti mahalin na lang ako (sa partido) kon amo na ang pagtrato nila sa aton.” But Jun, she said, stopped her from doing so.
Asked by the press if she believes in what Jun is saying, she answered: “Ti, paano ako maka-hambal kon matu-od ukon indi kay wala ako didto, wala man ako witness nga maka-sugid kon ano ang matu-od?”
Then, another tricky question from the media: “Ti, sin-o gina-patihan mo – si Javi ukon ang bata mo?”
The lady councilor said: ‘Wala ko may ginapatihan!”
OMG! (Oh, my God!)
For now, her simple message to her son Jun is: “Ti, To, good luck sa imo struggle. Kay siling mo you’re doing this for other Victoriahanons.”
But amid the brouhaha, Councilor Virgie’s final stance is: she won’t leave Javi’s party – that’s all!
Puzzling, right?
What complicated the story was the “obnoxious” act of bringing the ailing mother in a presscon and allowing her to be grilled by the media.
Why? Pitiable, as in!
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
Question: What’s next?
Well, only the “missing links” can conclude the story.
And who are these missing links? James Gulmatico, RJ Sablan, JunB Bantug, and Jovie Pepillo.
Where are they now? They cannot be reached as of press deadline.
Are they ready to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?
Both Javi and Jun have already laid down their respective versions of the story that literally and figuratively baffled Negrenses.
Which is which?
Are Gulmatico, Sablan, Bantug, and Pepillo courageous enough to draw the climax of the story?/PN
