Albee Benitez

Last updated

Honorable
Albee Benitez
43rd Mayor of Bacolod
Assumed office
June 30, 2022

Benitez was born on December 20, 1966, in Palo Alto, California to Jose Conrado Benitez and Betty Bantug, both from Negros Occidental. He went to La Salle Green Hills for primary and secondary education. He then enrolled at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and completed a mathematics degree.

Benitez is a former national athlete. He became secretary general of the Philippine Badminton Association in 2011. [5] He is the founder of Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, Inc. in 1982, and the Kaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital. [3]

Benitez resides in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, but also maintains a residence in Bacolod. He has been married to Dominique Lopez since 1993, and has two children, including Victorias mayor Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez. [6]

In 2024, Benitez publicly apologized after images emerged online of him and actress Ivana Alawi at an airport in Tokyo, fueling speculation of a relationship. Benitez had previously said that he had received an annulment of his marriage to his wife several years prior, which Lopez denied. [7] [8]

Politics

Benitez joined Philippine politics in 2010; he was elected congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental and a representative at the House of Congress. He held a satellite congressional office at the City of Talisay. As a congressman, he helped draft and oversee the passing of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act, a piece of landmark legislation that supports sugarcane farmers. He also implemented a scholarship program.[ citation needed ]

He was also involved in the implementation of various projects in Negros Occidental, such as the Tourism Highway and Loop of Silay, upgrade and beautification of Bacolod-Silay International Airport roads, and the construction of other bridges and barangay hall buildings. He was also notable for his implemented of some house bills at the congress including House Resolution No. 5237, House Resolution No. 875, proposed admin capital city planning act, House Bill no. 85, House Bill no. 84, House Bill no. 82. [9] Benitez initiated the Silay Negros Occidental Convention Center project near the Bacolod-Silay Airport. [10] [11]

Benitez completed his three-term limit in 2019. His younger brother, Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez, was elected as his successor. [12]

In June 2019, Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson appointed Benitez as the provincial government's consultant for economics and investments. He was serving pro bono . [13]

In October 5, 2021, Benitez changed his voter address from Victorias to Bacolod and officially announced to run for Mayor of Bacolod against incumbent Mayor and rival Evelio Leonardia on May 9, 2022 elections. [14] In March 26, 2022, Benitez formally launched his campaign, together with his slate known as Team Asenso or Grupo Asenso, a PDP-Laban led-coalition. [15]

On May 10, 2022, the Commission on Elections declared Benitez as elected Mayor of Bacolod.

Business career

In 1993, Benitez established Bingo Bonanza Corp. (later AB Leisure Exponent), which operates bingo establishments in shopping malls in the Philippines. [16] In later years, Benitez would become the majority owner and chairman of the gaming firm Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC), which acquired Bingo Bonanza in October 1999. [17] [18] He also previously served as president of the said corporation.

In June 2021, his company Visayas Cockers Club Inc. received a license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to operate its online cockfighting (or "e-sabong") site and app under the brand Sabong International PH, [19] [20] [21] [22] though by May 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered all e-sabong operations to be suspended. [23]

Filmography

Benitez made a guest appearances in shows and events at some films and television. His well-known television show was the Game Changer which is aired at ANC every Sunday. Benitez also guested in many interviews. He also founded and owns Brightlight Productions, one of the blocktime partners of Cignal Entertainment for TV5, which temporarily houses stars and talents of ABS-CBN and GMA Network.

ProgramNetworkRemarks
Game Changer ABS-CBN Benitez created this show to highlight useful innovations and ideas. The show was first aired in 2014 and it was the first Brightlight Productions program. [4]
Sunday Noontime Live! TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions
I Got You TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions
Sunday 'Kada TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions
Lunch Out Loud TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions
Serbisyo PilipinasPHTVCreator / Producer under Brightlight Productions; The new public service program in over the Philippines
Rated Korina TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions
Oh My Dad! TV5 Creator / Producer under Brightlight Productions

Notes

  1. 1 2 Although Albee Benitez was born in the United States of America, his official documents possess his mother's maiden name which is Bantug.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros Occidental</span> Province in Negros Island Region, Philippines

Negros Occidental, officially the Province of Negros Occidental, is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. Its capital is the city of Bacolod, of which it is geographically situated and grouped under by the Philippine Statistics Authority, but remains politically independent from the provincial government. It occupies the northwestern half of the large island of Negros, and borders Negros Oriental, which comprises the southeastern half. Known as the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", Negros Occidental produces more than half the nation's sugar output.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacolod</span> Highly-urbanized city and capital of Negros Occidental, Philippines

Bacolod, officially the City of Bacolod, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Negros Island Region in the Philippines. With a total of 600,783 inhabitants as of the 2020 census, it is the most populous city in the Negros Island Region and the second most populous city in the entire Visayas after Cebu City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silay</span> Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Silay, officially the City of Silay, is a 3rd class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 130,478 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talisay, Negros Occidental</span> Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Talisay, officially the City of Talisay, is a fourth class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 108,909 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victorias</span> Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Victorias, officially the City of Victorias, is a 4th class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 90,101 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacolod City Domestic Airport</span> Former airport of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines (1936–2008)

Bacolod City Domestic Airport, also known as Bacolod Airport during its operation, was an airport that served the general area of Bacolod, the capital city of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It was one of the busiest airports in the Western Visayas region and was one of four trunkline airports, or major commercial domestic airports, in the region, the others being Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo City, Roxas Airport in Roxas and Puerto Princesa Airport in Puerto Princesa. This airport was replaced by the new Bacolod–Silay Airport, located in nearby Silay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros Revolution</span> 1898 declaration of the Negros Republic during the Philippine Revolution

The Negros Revolution, commemorated and popularly known as the Fifth of November or Negros Day, was a political movement that in 1898 created a government on Negros Island in the Philippines, ending Spanish control of the island and paving the way for a republican government run by the Negrense natives. The newly established Negros Republic lasted for approximately three months. American forces landed on the island unopposed on February 2, 1899, ending the island's independence. Negros was then annexed to the Philippine Islands on 20 April 1901.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Hilado Memorial State University</span> Public university in Negros Occidental, Philippines

Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, also colloquially called by its former acronym CHMSC, is a public, state-owned university, the main campus of which is in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It provides preschool, elementary, secondary, higher technological, professional and vocational instruction and training in science, agriculture and industrial fields, as well as short-term or vocational courses.

Lacson is a Filipino surname with deep historical roots originating in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental, and with branches extending to Cavite and Pampanga. They are a prominent family involved in business, politics, real estate, and agriculture. The surname "Lacson" is a transliterated Chinese-Filipino surname with historical variations influenced by Spanish orthography. It is derived from the Hokkien "la̍k-sun", and has also been spelled as Laxon and Laczon by the Spaniards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Bacolod</span> Metropolitan Area in Negros Island Region, Philippines

The Bacolod Metropolitan Area, simply known as Metro Bacolod, is the 8th-most populous and the 6th-most densely populated metropolitan area out of the 12 metropolitan areas in the Philippines. This metropolitan area as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has an estimated population of 1,435,593 inhabitants as of the 2020 official census by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros</span> Island in the Philippines

Negros, is the fourth largest and third most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 13,309 km2 (5,139 sq mi). The coastal zone of the southern part of Negros is identified as a site of highest marine biodiversity importance in the Coral Triangle.

Juan "Johnny" Ledesma Manahan, also known as Mr. M, is a Filipino film and television director, actor, talent manager, and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hofileña Ancestral House</span> Lifestyle museum in Negros Occidental, Philippines

The Hofileña Ancestral House is the residence of Manuel Severino Hofileña and his family located in Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay, in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The home was built by Hofileña for his wife Gilda Ledesma Hojilla, a former Miss Silay, and their nine children.

Evelio Ramos Leonardia, sometimes known as Bing Leonardia, is a Filipino realtor, lawyer, and politician who was the 36th Mayor of Bacolod. He served as Vice Mayor of the City of Bacolod from 1992 to 1995 under Alfredo Montelibano and represented the Lone District of Bacolod from 2013 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros Island Region</span> Administrative region of the Philippines

The Negros Island Region (NIR) is an administrative region in the Philippines. Covering both the islands of Negros and Siquijor, the region is composed of three provinces: Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, as well as the highly urbanized city of Bacolod. The regional centers are Bacolod and Dumaguete.

Magikland is a Filipino amusement park located in Silay, Negros Occidental. It is also known as the first outdoor theme park in the Visayas. The park is owned and operated by Aton Land and Leisure, Inc.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Western Visayas is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus reached Western Visayas on March 20, 2020, when the first case of the disease was confirmed in Bacolod. All provinces have at least one confirmed COVID-19 case.

Brightlight Leisure Productions Inc. is a Philippine television, film production company and talent agency headquartered in Quezon City. It was founded in 2020 by gaming businessman Albee Benitez who previously served as Negros Occidental's 3rd district representative from 2010 to 2019 and is currently the Mayor of Bacolod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Stephen Paduano</span> Filipino politician

Joseph Stephen Paduano, also known by his nom de guerre Carapali Lualhati, is a Filipino politician who previously served as the House Minority Leader from 2020 to 2022. He has been the party-list representative for Abang Lingkod since 2014.

Local elections were held in Bacolod on May 9, 2022, as part of the Philippine general election. The elective local posts in the city: the mayor, vice mayor, the congressman, and twelve councilors, were filled in.

References

  1. ↑ "Who are richest congressmen". ABS-CBN News. May 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ Cabico, Gaea Katreena (June 14, 2019). "Who's who: Richest, poorest House lawmakers in 2018". Manila: The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "About Cong Albee". Albee Benitez. July 29, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Red, Isah V. (August 18, 2016). "'Game Changer Philippines' launches 4th season". Manila Standard .
  5. ↑ JVP (May 21, 2011). "Binay supports teenage shuttler Alcala's Olympic dream". GMA News Online . GMA Network . Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ Delilan, Edwin (February 5, 2024). "Annulment buzz involving Albee Benitez, wife causes ripples in Bacolod". Rappler. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  7. ↑ Delilan, Edwin (February 13, 2024). "Bacolod mayor apologizes to Ivana Alawi amid noise over Tokyo encounter". Rappler. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mercado, Josh (February 12, 2024). "Bacolod mayor apologizes to Ivana Alawi". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs .
  9. ↑ "bills-and-resolutions-filed-congressman-alfredo-abelardo-b-benitez". Albee Benitez.
  10. ↑ Guadalquiver, Nanette (July 12, 2024). "NegOcc poised to become convention hub with landmark facility". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  11. ↑ Adiong, Eugene (July 13, 2024). "P1-B convention center to rise in Silay City". The Manila Times . Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  12. ↑ Canet, Carla (June 28, 2019). "Albee Benitez bids farewell". SunStar Bacolod. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  13. ↑ Yasa, Dolly (July 1, 2019). "Ex-congressman is now Capitol consultant". Bacolod. Daily Guardian. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Ex-NegOcc solon eyes Bacolod mayoral seat with 'unity ticket'". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  15. ↑ "'Tumandok' vs 'pangayaw' in heated Bacolod City mayoral race". RAPPLER. March 27, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ Ramos, Elaine S. (July 1999). "Bingo Bonanza denies merger talks with BW". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corporation. p. 5. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  17. ↑ "What you need to know about Albee Benitez and Brightlight Productions". Rappler. October 18, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  18. ↑ Lee, Lovely Nica P. (May 19, 2008). "Casino operator to co-develop Cagayan airport". GMA News Online . Manila, Philippines: GMA Network . Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  19. ↑ Radyo Pilipinas (April 19, 2023). "NegOr Rep. Teves, inaming sinubukang ipahinto ang operasyon laban sa E-sabong upang hindi aniya mapahiya ang gobyerno". Facebook (in Filipino). Meta Platforms, Inc. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Teves: E-sabong hard to stop, like porn". Manila Bulletin . Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. April 17, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  21. ↑ Bilyonaryo.com (July 4, 2021). "4-way fight! Pagcor grants E-Sabong licenses to Albee Benitez, Patrick Antonio". Bilyonaryo Business News. Prage Management Corp. Retrieved July 11, 2024. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has added two more E-Sabong operators Bilyonaryo Albee Benitez's Sabong International PH (under Visayas Cockers Club)[...]
  22. ↑ Bilyonaryo.com (September 1, 2021). "Pagcor frets over 23 illegal operators as E-Sabong popularity soars". Bilyonaryo Business News. Prage Management Corp. Retrieved July 11, 2024. The four legitimate E-Sabong operators: 'Pitmasters Live' under Lucky 8 Star Quest of Charlie 'Atong' Ang; 'Sabong Express' under Belvedere Vista of Bong Pineda; 'Sabong International PH' under Visayas Cockers Club of former congressman Albee Benitez;[...]
  23. ↑ Ramos, Christia Marie (May 3, 2022). "Duterte orders end to e-sabong". Inquirer News . Manila, Philippines: The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.