Ombudsman junks cases vs Benitez, others

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April 28, 2026 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed for lack of evidence the complaints for grave misconduct against Deputy Speaker Alfredo Benitez and members of the city council.

In the decision, the anti-graft body said there was no basis to hold the officials administratively or criminally liable as there was no clear showing of overpricing, conflict of interest or bad faith in the acquisition of a 74.7-hectare property in Barangay Granada here in 2023.

Benitez, who represents the city’s lone district in the House of Representatives, welcomed the resolution, saying he had consistently done all actions in accordance with law and due process, and guided by what he believes is the best interest of the people.

“In short, everything was above board,” Benitez said in a statement.

The case stemmed from the complaint Roger Ledesma filed against Benitez, then a city mayor, and councilors Al Victor Espino, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, Vladimir Gonzales, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Matea Flor, Psyche Marie Sy, Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen, Ayesha Joy Villaflor and Jason Isidro Villarosa.

Six others from the Register of Deeds were named in the complaint.

Ledesma claimed that the purchase for P971.86 million was overpriced.

But the ombudsman ruled there was no definite proof of overpricing, noting that the valuation was based on approved zonal values.

It added that proper appraisal procedures on the property’s location, accessibility, infrastructure and development potential were considered.

“With the matter now resolved, my focus remains unchanged. We will continue to do the work, strengthen our local economy, improve basic services and ensure that every decision we make delivers real value to our people,” Benitez said.