PROPER FORUM. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez says on Monday (Aug. 7, 2023), he will address the financial issues raised against him by suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. in a proper forum. Following the statement of Teves, who has been designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council on Aug. 1, the mayor said he got in touch with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez here said on Monday, he will address the financial issues raised against him by suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. in a proper forum.
“Let’s put it this way. I’m already bound by certain laws,” Benitez told reporters, in responding to the lawmaker’s claims against him in a video of a press conference that Teves, who is still abroad, posted on his Facebook page last week.
The legislator alleged he has business transactions with the mayor, who also owes him a certain amount of money.
On Aug. 1, Teves, identified as the mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo last March, has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
In explaining his position, Benitez cited Republic Act 10168, also known as "The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012,” which classifies that any person, association, or company directly or indirectly dealing with the designated terrorist will be subject to certain penalties.
Following the statement of Teves, the mayor said he got in touch with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“This is not just (like) ordinary dealings that we can answer based on what is being painted or being asked. I also called Secretary Boying Remulla yesterday (Sunday) and asked him certain parameters on how to go about it,” he said.
“He (Remulla) mentioned that it’s better that we address this in a proper forum. I heard there are allegations of certain business dealings. As of now, I have no paper or any document that specifies or even indicates association (with him). If he says there is, that is something that I discussed with Secretary Boying,” he added.
Benitez said issues like this should be handled by proper authorities since it is happening under different circumstances.
“This is not just like anymore (when) we were together from 2013 to 2016 in Congress. He’s a member of the Visayan bloc, a very active member as a matter of fact. But now the circumstances are different. There are certain things that (I) must abide with. I’m the first person who will never break the law,” the mayor pointed out.
“We were colleagues. It’s heartbreaking for me to see this kind of situation but that’s the law. That’s something as a matter of principle, as a matter of being a public servant that I will never exchange or even bend for anyone,” he said. (PNA)
