Ex-Victorias mayor Benitez, 26 others face complaint over cockfighting pit

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative and former Victorias City mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez and 26 others have been accused of dishonesty, grave abuse of authority, and graft before the Office of the Ombudsman over the operations of a cockfighting arena in the city.

The officials were accused of allowing the facility to operate without a franchise. The complaint was filed in June 2025 but was only made public on Wednesday, January 7.

The complaint was filed by Bernard Ferraris, a resident of Hacienda Estrella, Barangay 14, Victorias, against Benitez, current Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, and Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca.

Benitez’s father, Albee, is the former mayor of Bacolod City and now the city’s representative. The elder Benitez, a gaming mogul, is a first cousin of Mayor Bantug.

Also named in the complaint were 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 were also included, along with five city hall department heads: City Planning and Development Officer Evangeline Alo, Engineer Mary Jean Majaducon, Licensing Officer Flossie Galla, former administrator Lindof De Castro, and Treasurer Maria Rosielyn Gustilo.

Seven officials of Barangay 14, including village chief Angelo Dorado, completed the list of respondents.

Ferraris alleged the officials erred in issuing barangay, business, and mayor’s permits to Jimmy Banguanga of Sitio Litib-Litib-Litib, Barangay 3, Victorias, to operate Cockpit 6119 in December 2024, despite the facility having no franchise and no resolution of no objection (RONO) from the city council.

He said Benitez, who was Victorias mayor in 2024, allegedly bypassed the authority of the local legislature. Benitez declined to comment when Rappler sought his statement.

Ferraris also said Mayor Bantug, then vice mayor, and several councilors refused to issue a RONO for Cockpit 6119. He argued that under the Local Government Code, mayors can only sign contracts and incur obligations with approval from the local legislature, including project clearances such as RONOs.

In his complaint, Ferraris said Cockpit 6119 lacked sufficient parking, violating a Victorias City ordinance. He added that a barangay basketball court is now being used as a parking lot as a result.

The officials, in a joint counter-affidavit, said the Victorias Traffic Authority has been coordinating with the barangay to manage parking and traffic flow in the area.

Ferraris also questioned the location of Cockpit 6119, noting it sits across from a Gawad Kalinga residential village and a Roman Catholic church, which, he said, is a violation of the 1974 Cockfighting Law. The law requires such facilities to be built and operated in areas designated by zoning laws or ordinances. 

He said the law prohibits cockfighting establishments within 200 meters of residential areas, commercial establishments, hospitals, schools, churches, or public buildings.

The respondents, in their joint counter-affidavit, denied any wrongdoing, calling Ferraris’ complaint “untrue and fabricated,” and dismissed allegations of graft, dishonesty, and abuse of authority.

A portion of the counter-affidavit showed Benitez stating that Victorias has an existing local law, City Ordinance No. 2023-35, or “An Ordinance Regulating the Establishment, Operation, and Maintenance of Cockpits of Victorias.” 

He said the Negros Occidental provincial board approved the ordinance under Resolution No. 0688 on June 20, 2023, noting it complied with existing laws and regulations. Victorias is a component city of Negros Occidental.

Benitez, in the affidavit, added that a franchise is no longer required to establish and operate cockfighting facilities. 

Mayor Bantug, who was vice mayor and presiding officer of the city council at the time, also said that under City Ordinance 2023-35, a RONO is no longer needed for Cockpit 6119.

Ferraris, however, asserted on Thursday, January 8, that the relevant provisions of the Local Government Code have not been amended. He said the Code devolved all regulatory powers over local cockfighting to the legislature.

“So, anything contrary to the existing law is illegal,” Ferraris said. “Franchise to operate from Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod must come first before the barangay, business and mayor’s permits to be granted to any cockpit arena across the country. It’s as simple as that.”

He added, “That’s why no local ordinance can simply amend or supersede Sections 447 and 458 of the Local Government Code of 1991.”

On November 28, 2025, Ombudsman Philip Camiguing issued a subpoena directing Victorias City Secretary Julien Olis to produce a certified copy of a city ordinance granting the supposed franchise. Olis has yet to issue a statement as of this posting. – Rappler.com