Bacolod City officials clash over loan-funded project scrutiny

A political confrontation occurred between Bacolod City Congressman Albee Benitez and City Councilor Homer Bais during a dinner at the Bacolod City Government Center on October 16. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute regarding the scrutiny of city-funded projects financed through significant loans.

Councilor Bais alleged that Benitez slammed a table during their exchange, prompting Bais to respond defensively. The tension follows a recent council resolution seeking detailed status reports on unfinished projects, including the Bacolod MassKara Coliseum and a museum-auditorium. These projects, valued at P800 million, were initiated under the previous administration using a P1.7-billion loan.

Bais, who ran as a political ally of Benitez under the ‘Team Asenso’ coalition, has supported calls for an audit of various loan-funded implementations. This includes a P1.7-billion loan from the former administration and a P4.1-billion loan facility obtained during Benitez’s tenure as mayor from 2022 to 2025.