Poll body to hear protest vs Benitez’s registration transfer

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Commission on Election (Comelec)-Bacolod head Katrina Caña said the Election Registration Board will convene on July 19 to hear a petition questioning the transfer of the voter registration of former congressman Alfredo Benitez from Victorias City to Bacolod.

Caña said that on July 13, 2021, three residents of Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City, through their counsels, filed a petition opposing Benitez’s transfer here.

The petitioners questioned the residency of Benitez in Brgy. Mandalagan, Caña said.

Benitez has yet to announce if he will run as mayor of Bacolod City in the 2022 elections. But he was seen roaming around some barangays of Bacolod.

Benitez used to be a three-termer congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental.

At present, he is serving as consultant for economic affairs of the Negros Occidental provincial government.

Caña said that Benitez will be given the opportunity to answer the petition and submit evidence to prove that he is a resident of Bacolod.

Benitez said he already expected opposition against his transfer of voter registration to Bacolod City.