Benitez Denies Linking High Data Infra to May 12 Polls

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has refuted claims linking High Data Infra Corporation to the May 12, 2025, local and national elections.

“We strongly refute the baseless claims regarding the City Government’s Public-Private Partnership contract with High Data Infra Corporation,” Benitez said in a press statement sent to local media Tuesday.

He said the project was lawfully processed and awarded under the Public-Private Partnership Code through a transparent and compliant procedure.

“Allegations linking this contract to the May 12, 2025, elections are false and misleading,” he said.

Benitez clarified that SMS Global Technologies Inc. and its joint venture partner are providing the Commission on Elections an Overseas Voting System solely for use by overseas Filipino workers.

He said the system is used only for the election of national candidates and does not apply to local elections.

“The system cannot operate within the Philippines,” Benitez added.

He also stressed that SMS Global Technologies and High Data Infra have no access to COMELEC data, infrastructure or systems.

“We urge all parties to refrain from spreading misinformation,” he said.

“The City Government remains committed to transparent governance and electoral integrity,” he added.

Earlier this year, Benitez and High Data Infra representative Danny Fernandez signed a Build-Transfer-Maintain agreement under a PPP for a 10-year, PHP2.1-billion “super city” project.

The project, funded by the city’s general fund, will be implemented in phases.

The first phase focuses on e-governance, which is the immediate priority.

Succeeding phases will include building a command center, installing intelligent street lamp poles, and deploying dynamic cameras for traffic, flood, and public safety monitoring.

Benitez said he secured an exemption from the Commission on Elections to proceed with the project during the election season.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds within 45 days before a regular election.

Benitez confirmed that the project will commence this year.