Benitez defers to Supreme Court on NIR Act petition

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said he will leave it to the Supreme Court to decide on a petition filed by a group opposing Republic Act (RA) 12000, which created the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Two months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the NIR Act into law on June 13, petitioners from Negros Oriental and Siquijor, led by Rev. Fr. Hendrix Alar, filed a temporary restraining order with the Supreme Court.

The group claims that the creation of the NIR was illegal, arguing that it was not subjected to a plebiscite nor was there a public consultation.

The NIR Act includes the provinces of Negros Occidental (including Bacolod City), Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

“It’s up to the court to make the decision based on the merits of the case. That’s beyond my authority and jurisdiction,” Benitez said in a media interview on Wednesday, adding that they will abide by the decision of the country’s highest court.

Benitez acknowledged that there might have been a lack of awareness and information about the NIR and its potential effects once implemented.

He suggested that the group opposing the NIR should be provided with proper information to better understand the benefits of the region’s creation.

The mayor also mentioned that he has yet to review the internal rules and regulations (IRR) for the NIR.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a recent media interview, also stated that the Supreme Court will ultimately decide the fate of the petition.