• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez declared on Saturday that the Visayas Caucus which was formed Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, died when the latter stepped down as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Benitez, who joined Mayor Greg Gasataya in unveiling of the new Multi-Purpose Center and Bacolod Skate Park in Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, did not support the re-election of Romualdez as the House Speaker, for the 20th Congress.
“I did not convene the Visayan bloc for them (Visayas solons), not to be uncomfortable. So ginpabay-an ko anay (So I did not mind it),” said Benitez, who is the convenor of the new group.
“Now that we have a new leadership, a new Speaker, then I called for a fellowship meeting. That’s what had happened” said Benitez, who voted for Isabela Rep. Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III, as the new Speaker.
In his Facebook account, Benitez said he convened the Visayan Bloc in the House of Representatives “to strengthen regional collaboration toward meaningful reforms and progress for the region.”
Together, we remain committed to ensuring that our collective efforts lead to lasting progress of our people, the Bacolod solon added.
He also recently disclosed that almost 40 of the 50 solons from Visayas under the 20th Congress, are members of his Visayan bloc.*
