May no longer support Mar: Benitez leaves LP after ouster as provincial chairman

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Negros Occidental 3rd district Representative Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez the other day said he has no plans of coming back to the Liberal Party, after it stripped him of his post as its provincial chairman and replaced by former governor Rafael Coscolluela.

Benitez, the fourth richest congressman in the country and leader of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives, said he is seeking for re-election but as an independent candidate.

He said he believed that political parties have more ideology and that it must complete the deliverables that they want to bring as a political party and not just an individual. “Most political parties are just actually pushing for a certain individual. I’d like to hear more on their platform, and their advocacy that they will be striving for.”

Benitez confirmed last week that he left the LP after it fielded opponents against some candidates he has been supporting, especially in his district. He was reportedly stripped of his functions as LP provincial chair before he filed his certificate of candidacy in October.

He said his resignation from the party was announced when he filed his COC. “I filed as an independent candidate, and that was already saying that I am no longer a Liberal.”

Coscolluela, who replaced Benitez as LP provincial head, said the party had to protect its own interest and it can no longer depend on Benitez, whose stand is no longer compatible with the organization, thus the replacement.

He however said his chairmanship was only until December 10 and was replaced also by former Manapla town mayor Manuel Escalante.

Coscolluela also said the LP leadership will welcome Benitez if the latter decides to come back and offer his support to the party’s standard bearer Mar Roxas.

Benitez however remained non-committal to the bid of Roxas, saying that as an independent candidate, “there is no pressure on whoever to support” because I have no party asking me for that. He insisted though that Roxas is “a good friend.”

Unconfirmed reports said Benitez is supporting the presidential bid of either Senator Grace Poe or Vice President Jojo Binay, but he neighter confirmed nor denied it.

On his choice for vice president, Benitez said he has “two best friends” who are running for it: Senators Francis Escudero and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., both of whom he had family relationships beyond politics.

“We have to face friendship. As I have said earlier, election is only one day. My decision on whatever it could be is based on my perspective and not because they are a better friend or not,” he explained.

When pressed if he will encourage his mayors in his district to support his candidates, Benitez replied: “As soon as you keep the ground of campaigning then it becomes a campaign season officially. Of course, you will campaign for your candidates but in the meantime, it is but proper to hold in abeyance our campaign activities because it is not yet the campaign period.”

Iloilo City Representative Jerry Treñas, head of LP-Western Visayas, said he is no longer expecting Benitez to follow the party line because the latter is no longer part of the LP hierarchy. (FREEMAN)