BY CYRUS GARDE
SAN CARLOS City – The country’s fourth richest congressman has flown to Macau a host of Negros Occidental officials for “bonding.”
Rep. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District is footing the bill for the two-day trip to China’s special administrative region known for its casinos and posh hotels.
With a net worth of P713.8 million based on his 2013 Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth, Benitez could well afford to splurge money for a trip abroad.
But some local officials are unimpressed. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Rolando Ponsica of the 1st District said he had chosen to attend to the concerns of his constituents in the town of Calatrava.
“I politely refused to go to Macau. I have problems in my district,” said Ponsica.
Benitez and his group left for Macau on Friday. They are expected to return today.
Ponsica said even if the food and accommodation are free, courtesy of Benitez, it would be impossible not to spend personal money.
He said he would rather spend the money for his constituents.
Ponsica’s 1st District is made up of the towns of Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto and the cities of San Carlos and Escalante.
Last year, Benitez flew to Macau several barangay officials. Next year, he reportedly plans to bring there Negros Occidental municipal mayors.
Marton Cui, chief of staff of 1st District’s Rep. Julio Ledesma, said he was originally listed as part of the entourage but begged off due to prior commitments in the district.
Flying local officials to Macau has become a regular undertaking of Benitez, said Cui.
Benitez, a businessman before becoming congressman, operates a hotel in Macau.
Cui said the months of September, October and November are off-season for tourists in Macau so hotels there are not too busy, Cui explained.
Other local officials who declined Benitez’s invitation were Provincial Board member Renato Malabor of the 5th District and Raul Rivera of the Philippine Councilors League – Negros Occidental.
Negros Occidental officials to flew to Macau with Benitez were Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Vice Gov. Eugenio Lacson, Provincial Board members Renato Gustilo, Miller Serondo, Salvador Escalante, Patrick Lacson, Joanna Ko, Helen Zafra and Mark Cu.
The mayors included Dr. Eric Saratan (Talisay City), Gerardo Valmayor (San Carlos City), Melicio Yap (Escalante City), Francis Frederick Palanca (Victorias City), Rommel Yogore (Valladolid), Agustin Bascon (Himamaylan), and Jose Max Ortiz (Salvador Benedicto).
Cui said the tour is “purely non-political.”/PN
