Benitez denies graft, abuse claims over Victorias cockpit

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative and former Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez has strongly denied allegations of dishonesty, grave abuse of authority, and graft related to the operation of a local cockfighting arena.

Benitez’s legal team said they have already submitted a counter-affidavit, position paper, and all supporting documents to the Office of the Ombudsman in Cebu City to refute the claims.

“The complaint is currently under review by the Ombudsman. We have provided documentary evidence showing that no violation occurred under Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 on dishonesty and grave abuse of authority, or under the Local Government Code,” Benitez said.

The complaint, filed in June 2025 by local resident Bernard Ferraris of Hacienda Estrella in Barangay 14, Victorias City, was made public on 7 January 2026. Ferraris alleged that Benitez, along with 26 other city officials, allowed Cockpit 6119 to operate without a proper franchise or Resolution of No Objection (RoNO). According to the complaint, permits were issued in December 2024 to operator Jimmy Banguanga despite lacking these requirements.

Benitez rejected the claims, saying the complainant has no personal knowledge of the matter. “The complaint was drafted by James Francis Anthony Garcia and later submitted by the complainant. Mr. Garcia even admitted this and noted that the complainant’s motivation was rooted in frustration over a rejected quarry application on a residential lot, which is prohibited under City Ordinance No. 05-2019, the Victorias Zoning Ordinance,” Benitez explained.

Official city records, he added, show that the cockpit applicant fully complied with all requirements under the Ordinance Regulating the Establishment, Operation, and Maintenance of Cockpits in Victorias City, which was reviewed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental under Resolution No. 0688 dated 20 June 2023.

Benitez further clarified that no national law or local ordinance mandates a RoNO or franchise for cockpit operations. “Under the Local Government Code, the authority to license and regulate cockpits is vested in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, while the issuance of business permits is the prerogative of the city mayor. The term ‘franchise’ does not appear in any applicable law governing cockfights,” he said.

He also explained the role of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), which oversees cockfighting in the Philippines. “RoNO requirements only apply to businesses regulated by PAGCOR. Cockpit operations fall under GAB jurisdiction. Per GAB Resolution No. 12-24, Series of 2024, the Board stopped issuing local cockfight licenses and instructed applicants to secure the necessary permits directly from their local government units,” Benitez noted.

In addition, Benitez said that due to what his team claims are false statements under oath, they have filed a perjury case against the complainant, which is now pending before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Bacolod City.

“This is a politically motivated complaint, lacking witnesses and evidence,” the congressman added. “We are confident that the law will clear us once due process runs its course.”