BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez was elected yesterday as the national chairman of the League of Cities of the Philippines, during its 69th General Assembly held at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City.
This was the second time that a mayor of Bacolod City occupies a top LCP position.
Benitez replaces General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera as LCP national chairman.
Former Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was defeated by Benitez in the Bacolod City mayoralty race during the May 9 elections, served as LCP national president from 2019-2022.
The son of Benitez, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, was earlier elected as president of the Association of Chief Executives – Negros Occidental, which was previously occupied by his predecessor, Francis Frederick Palanca.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamen Abalos Jr. administered the oath of office of Benitez, a former congressman of the Negros Occidental 3rd district.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was elected LCP president.
The LCP, established in 1988, is the official organization of the 145-strong member-cities in the Philippines.
As national chairperson, Benitez chairs the highest policy making body of LCP which has a National Executive Board.
The League Secretariat is under the leadership of its Executive Director and jointly supervised by the National President and Secretary-General.*
