PHP971M Land Deal Sparks Graft Complaints Against Benitez, 19 Others

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Graft and administrative complaints have been filed against Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and 19 others over a land banking project valued at more than PHP971 million.

Local radio blocktimer Roger Ledesma lodged the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas in Cebu City on March 13, alleging irregularities in the city government’s purchase of 74.76 hectares in Hacienda Conchita, Barangay Granada, from the Ledesma-Lizares family.

The land was bought for PHP971,863,100, or about PHP13 million per hectare, financed through the city’s PHP4.4-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

In addition to Benitez, the complaint names several councilors, five land vendors, and a deputy register of deeds.

The accused councilors are Al Victor Espino, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, Vladimir Gonzales, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Matea Flor, Psyche Marie Sy, Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen, Ayesha Joy Villaflor, and Jayson Isidro Villarosa.

Councilor Claudio Puentevella abstained from voting on the project.

The respondents face charges for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, conflict of interest rules, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) law, and land use conversion laws.

Ledesma’s complaint alleges that Benitez signed a deed of absolute sale on October 11, 2023.

In his 14-page affidavit, Ledesma emphasized that the land remains classified as agricultural under the CARP law.

He cited City Land Tax Office records showing that the previous owners were paying taxes based on its agricultural classification and argued that the land had never been declared residential.

He also noted the absence of a land use conversion clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Ledesma further claimed the property was purchased at a price far above its zonal value, which the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) set at PHP415,000 per hectare.

He argued that Benitez and the City Council failed to properly assess the property, mistakenly assuming it was residential land, and neglected due diligence.

Additionally, Ledesma alleged that the deputy register of deeds fast-tracked the transfer, issuing a new title on November 20, 2023, just 40 days after the City Council ratified the sale.

Benitez responded by stating that he was unaware of the complaint until media reports emerged.

He expressed confidence that the case would follow the usual process and be evaluated for merit.

He also affirmed that the property acquisition had adhered to all necessary regulations.

“The process of acquiring the property went through rigid and stringent procedures,” the mayor said.

Espino suggested that the timing of the complaint was politically motivated but emphasized their right to defend themselves.

He denied any wrongdoing in the deal, calling allegations of an overpriced transaction selective and expressing confidence in winning the case.

Espino also hinted at counterclaims due to alleged malicious intent.

“We will get to the bottom of this. There is a conspiracy that we are uncovering—bigger people are involved,” he said.

Espino said he is willing to forgive those who filed cases against him, but he intends to take action against them.

“Indi man na puwede na gin hanot mo ko, mapa cute-cute lang ko, lagson ko na sila,” he added.

Sayson defended the purchase, stating that the offers had been reviewed over a period of one and a half years, following all legal procedures.

He also questioned the timing of the complaint and assured that all necessary steps had been followed in the property acquisition.

“We followed everything until the very end,” he added.

Other councilors have not yet issued statements or comments on the matter.