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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Benitez urges House leadership change amid flood control scandal

Benitez urges House leadership change amid flood control scandal

Published Sep 15, 2025 02:48 pm
BENITEZ
BENITEZ
BACOLOD CITY – Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez has called for a leadership overhaul in the House of Representatives over deepening public distrust over controversial flood control projects.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Benitez pointed to fellow lawmaker Rep. Toby Tiangco’s decision to testify before the Senate as a clear indication of how serious the situation has become.
“It has come to a point that we really need to change leadership because of the distrust of the general public,” Benitez said.
Addressing reports that Tiangco has endorsed him as a potential replacement for the Speaker, Benitez clarified that such a decision should come from a collective consensus within Congress.
“That would be a collegiate decision. Whatever the majority of our colleagues want, that is what we should follow. We need a person that can cleanse the House, has credibility and integrity to bring those accountable to justice, and, if possible, recover misused funds," he said.
Benitez acknowledged the growing frustration of Filipinos towards Congress, noting that calls for reform are louder than ever. "The citizens are the ones bringing out what they know,” he said, adding that whoever is in Congress right now feels the heat.
He said the current situation makes people look at Congress as if the institution is full of thieves and involved in anomalies.
Benitez said that House Speaker Martin Romualdez is not tenable in his position and has to make a supreme sacrifice.
The former Bacolod mayor said he has reservations over leading the House. “To be honest, I don’t think it is the right time for me."
He said that others are just silent for obvious reasons but he knows they can feel it as they are not blind. "I think this time it needs overhaul," he added.
His son Negros Occidental third district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said that as a neophyte lawmaker he has witnessed many revelations in the Congress.
Javier said that he cannot talk about his colleagues' feelings but when he entered Congress, he felt like it had a bad reputation. "I am being honest because of what has been brought out," he added.
The young Benitez said that he thinks the national government has to find long term solutions and reforms so these issues won't happen again.

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Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez
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