A recent issue involving Albee Benitez circulated online
Councilor Homer Bais of Bacolod City has verified reports of an altercation involving him and Congressman Albee Benitez after 6 p.m. on Friday, October 16, at a BCGC lobby dinner party.
Benitez is the current Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and the representative for Bacolod’s Lone District. He entered politics in 2010, serving three consecutive terms as the representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental until 2019.
The businessman-politician won against Evelio Leonardia in the mayoral race in 2022. In 2025, he returned to Congress.
Rep. Albee Benitez had become the subject of some issues in the past, including his rumored romance with Kapamilya actress Ivana Alawi, especially when they were spotted together at the airport. However, this rumor was previously denied.
On Sunday, October 18, an issue circulated involving Benitez and Councilor Bais. The latter has confirmed this based on the Facebook post shared by local reporter Ambo Delilan.
While confirming the dispute, Bais emphasized that the disruption was not started by him.
The tension reportedly was prompted by an ongoing controversy regarding city loans. In May 2026, an independent councilor filed a resolution asking the Commission on Audit (COA) to review project implementations funded by major loans, specifically a P1.7 billion loan from the previous administration and a P4.1 billion loan facility obtained during Benitez’s mayoral tenure, which was from 2022–2025.
Bais reportedly supported the audit call even tough he ran as a partymate of Benitez, under the “Team Asenso” coalition during the 2025 elections, and this created a political rift.
Speaking about the incident in an interview, Bais said that Benitez slammed the table first, while he was explaining, and with that, he just responded the same thing. He also said to the Congressman, “Ti, ano kung Benitez ka!? (So, what if you’re a Benitez!?).”
Bais also said that he never wanted being humiliated in front of the public. “May dignidad pa man ko nga dapat tipigan.”(I still have my dignity that I need to protect.),” the councilor said.
“That comment was born out of shock after Congressman Albee slammed the table; I really didn’t expect him to do that in front of me,” the councilor admitted.
Councilor Caesar Distrito intervened, hugging and calming Bais down before guiding him away from the dinner area.
“May dignidad pa man ko nga dapat tipigan.”(I still have my dignity that I need to protect),” he said.
