7 Negros Occidental lawmakers back Romualdez; Benitez abstains

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Seven congressional representatives from Negros Occidental voted for Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (1st District, Leyte) as House Speaker of the 20th Congress, while Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez abstained during the election held Monday morning before the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Benitez’s name had previously been floated as a potential candidate for House Speaker.

Before the voting, Benitez issued a press statement declaring he would not support Romualdez.

“I will not vote for Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House,” he said on his official social media page.

“I believe our chamber needs a leader who will stand firmly behind President Bongbong Marcos—not pull him down—and can help unite the nation behind his vision for the country.”

He said Congress has been plagued by controversies involving questionable budget allocations, politicized relief efforts, and self-serving political maneuvering.

“All of these have contributed to distrust, disunity, and dysfunction,” Benitez said.

He added that “our constituents and even our colleagues now question the integrity, transparency, and sincerity of the House.”

Benitez also said he has decided not to align with the Majority, the Minority, or the opposition.

“I will serve as an independent member of the House—fully supportive of the President and committed to encouraging broader support for his leadership,” he said.

“Our country needs a government that works—decisively, efficiently, and with the people’s interest front and center,” he added.

“This administration must succeed. The better we deliver services, the more lives we improve, especially among those who rely most on government support.”

Benitez emphasized that “this is not the time for self-interest or political maneuvering.”

“I will support reforms that uplift the lives of our people, restore public trust through transparency, and help bring lasting, meaningful change,” he said.

The Negros Occidental lawmakers who voted for Romualdez were Reps. Jules Ledesma (1st District), Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon (2nd District), Javi Benitez (3rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District), Dino Yulo (5th District), Mercedes Alvarez (6th District), and Manman Ko of the Negros-based Abang Lingkod Partylist.

In an interview with Bacolod media, Benitez said he simply stood by what he believed was proper and right.

Regarding his son, Rep. Javi Benitez, voting for Romualdez, he said: “He has his own decisions and reasons for doing that—of course, we respect each other’s decision.”

For his part, 4th District Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer said he voted for Romualdez, a friend, because Romualdez helped Negrenses, especially those affected by the eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

Ferrer said Romualdez has consistently supported Negros Occidental.

With 269 votes, Romualdez was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress.