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NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Negros Occidental third District Consultant and former Victorias Metropolis mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez and 26 others have been accused of dishonesty, grave abuse of authority, and graft earlier than the Workplace of the Ombudsman over the operations of a cockfighting area within the metropolis.
The officers have been accused of permitting the ability to function with out a franchise. The grievance was filed in June 2025 however was solely made public on Wednesday, January 7.
The grievance was filed by Bernard Ferraris, a resident of Hacienda Estrella, Barangay 14, Victorias, in opposition to Benitez, present Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, and Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca.
Benitez’s father, Albee, is the previous mayor of Bacolod Metropolis and now town’s consultant. The elder Benitez, a gaming mogul, is a primary cousin of Mayor Bantug.
Additionally named within the grievance have been incumbent Victorias councilors Daylen Hofileña, Hermie Millan, Dino Acuña, Dexter Senido, Eric Alcobilla, Warlito Undar, Joji Adorio-Laraga, and Trishia Mae Maja.
Former councilors Teresita Sta. Ana-Bartolome, Danilo de Asis Jr., and Audie Malaga have been additionally included, together with 5 metropolis corridor division heads: Metropolis Planning and Growth Officer Evangeline Alo, Engineer Mary Jean Majaducon, Licensing Officer Flossie Galla, former administrator Lindof De Castro, and Treasurer Maria Rosielyn Gustilo.
Seven officers of Barangay 14, together with village chief Angelo Dorado, accomplished the record of respondents.
Ferraris alleged the officers erred in issuing barangay, enterprise, and mayor’s permits to Jimmy Banguanga of Sitio Litib-Litib-Litib, Barangay 3, Victorias, to function Cockpit 6119 in December 2024, regardless of the ability having no franchise and no decision of no objection (RONO) from town council.
He mentioned Benitez, who was Victorias mayor in 2024, allegedly bypassed the authority of the native legislature. Benitez declined to remark when Rappler sought his assertion.
Ferraris additionally mentioned Mayor Bantug, then vice mayor, and several other councilors refused to situation a RONO for Cockpit 6119. He argued that below the Native Authorities Code, mayors can solely signal contracts and incur obligations with approval from the native legislature, together with challenge clearances comparable to RONOs.
In his grievance, Ferraris mentioned Cockpit 6119 lacked ample parking, violating a Victorias Metropolis ordinance. He added {that a} barangay basketball court docket is now getting used as a parking zone in consequence.
The officers, in a joint counter-affidavit, mentioned the Victorias Visitors Authority has been coordinating with the barangay to handle parking and visitors circulate within the space.
Ferraris additionally questioned the placement of Cockpit 6119, noting it sits throughout from a Gawad Kalinga residential village and a Roman Catholic church, which, he mentioned, is a violation of the 1974 Cockfighting Regulation. The legislation requires such amenities to be constructed and operated in areas designated by zoning legal guidelines or ordinances.
He mentioned the legislation prohibits cockfighting institutions inside 200 meters of residential areas, industrial institutions, hospitals, colleges, church buildings, or public buildings.
The respondents, of their joint counter-affidavit, denied any wrongdoing, calling Ferraris’ grievance “unfaithful and fabricated,” and dismissed allegations of graft, dishonesty, and abuse of authority.
A portion of the counter-affidavit confirmed Benitez stating that Victorias has an present native legislation, Metropolis Ordinance No. 2023-35, or “An Ordinance Regulating the Institution, Operation, and Upkeep of Cockpits of Victorias.”
He mentioned the Negros Occidental provincial board accepted the ordinance below Decision No. 0688 on June 20, 2023, noting it complied with present legal guidelines and rules. Victorias is a part metropolis of Negros Occidental.
Benitez, within the affidavit, added {that a} franchise is now not required to ascertain and function cockfighting amenities.
Mayor Bantug, who was vice mayor and presiding officer of town council on the time, additionally mentioned that below Metropolis Ordinance 2023-35, a RONO is now not wanted for Cockpit 6119.
Ferraris, nevertheless, asserted on Thursday, January 8, that the related provisions of the Native Authorities Code haven’t been amended. He mentioned the Code devolved all regulatory powers over native cockfighting to the legislature.
“So, something opposite to the present legislation is illegitimate,” Ferraris mentioned. “Franchise to function from Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod should come first earlier than the barangay, enterprise and mayor’s permits to be granted to any cockpit area throughout the nation. It’s so simple as that.”
He added, “That’s why no native ordinance can merely amend or supersede Sections 447 and 458 of the Native Authorities Code of 1991.”
On November 28, 2025, Ombudsman Philip Camiguing issued a subpoena directing Victorias Metropolis Secretary Julien Olis to supply an authorized copy of a metropolis ordinance granting the supposed franchise. Olis has but to situation an announcement as of this posting. – Rappler.com
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