Bacolod City, Negros Occidental— The three complainants who questioned the residency of businessman Albee Benitez, who recently transferred his voting rights in Bacolod, alleged that the property that was declared by the businessman as his place of residence in Mt. View Subdivision in Brgy. Mandalagan is an underdeveloped property.
The complainants – Hector A. Yulo, Teodoro R. Abao, and Jonah Tornea Abao further alleged that the property was only purchased last April 19, 2021, three days before he filed his transfer of residency at the Commission on Election in this city. This is contrary to the statement of Benitez’s son, Javi, that his dad grew up in Bacolod, specifically in Mt. View Subdivision.
The complainants also alleged that the property does not have an established electrical connection and a water-meter as certified by PrimeWater, the operator of Bacolod City Water District.
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CEDULA QUESTIONED
The three further questioned Benitez’s community tax where he only paid a meager amount of P500 in contrast to his P1 billion net worth and P1.2 billion in assets based on his declaration. The community tax is computed at P5.00 plus P1 every P1,000 earned a year. Based on the information obtained by Negros News Online, Benitez founded Bingo Bonanza Corporation and later brought it to become a publicly listed entity – Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC) with its office based in Ortigas Center in Pasig City.
Among LR’s subsidiaries is AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. (ABLE), which provides amusement and recreation to the public in traditional, electronic, pulltabs and rapid bingo games. As of December 31, 2018, ABLE and its subsidiaries/affiliates operate around 10,536 machines were installed in 153 affiliated bingo parlors, according to information posted on the Philippine Stock Exchange website.
The Company also owns 100% of Total Gamezon Xtreme, Inc., which is the assignee and purchaser of the assets, rights, and interests of Digiwave Solutions, Inc., which in turn is the operator and licensee of PAGCOR eGames stations, the PSE added. LR’s other direct subsidiaries include Blue Chip Gaming and Leisure Corporation; First Cagayan Leisure & Resort Corporation; LR Data Center Solutions Inc.; AB Leisure Global, Inc.; LR Land Developers, Inc.; Bingo Bonanza (HK) Limited; Prime Investment Korea, Inc.; and Hotel Enterprises of the Philippines, Inc.
Benitez returns to LRWC as member of the board after successfully finishing his three terms in public office as the representative of third District.
ALBEE’S REPLY
Benitez in a Facebook post said the opposition against the transfer of his voter’s registration in Bacolod is expected. The former solon however is confident that those moves will not prosper as all requirements of the law have been fully complied.
The COMELEC is set to hear the opposition to Albee’s transfer on Monday, July 19.
