Albee Benitez
Albee Benitez | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| Assumed office March 18, 2026 | |
| Speaker | Bojie Dy |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bacolod's Lone District | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Greg Gasataya |
| 43rd Mayor of Bacolod | |
| In office June 30, 2022 – June 30, 2025 | |
| Vice Mayor | El Cid Familiaran |
| Preceded by | Evelio Leonardia |
| Succeeded by | Greg Gasataya |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Negros Occidental's 3rd district | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Jose Carlos V. Lacson |
| Succeeded by | Jose Francisco Benitez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alfredo Abelardo Bantug Benitez December 20, 1966 Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Citizenship |
|
| Party | Independent (2015–2016, 2024–present) Asenso Bacolod (2021–present) (local party) |
| Other political affiliations | PDP (2016–2024) Liberal (2010–2015) NPC (2009–2010) |
| Spouse |
Dominique "Nikki" Lopez
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 2, including Javi |
| Relatives | Jose Francisco Benitez (brother) |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary (BS) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Website | 2022 |
Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Bantug Benitez (born December 20, 1966) is a Filipino politician and businessman who has served as the representative for Bacolod's lone district since 2025. He previously served as the 43rd mayor of Bacolod from 2022 to 2025 and as the representative for Negros Occidental's third district from 2010 to 2019.
Benitez began his career as a business executive in the gambling industry. He founded Bingo Bonanza in 1993 and AB Leisure in 1994. The two companies became subsidiaries of Leisure & Resorts World Corp., (now DigiPlus) which Benitez would later be the president of from 2005 to 2010 before divesting his business interests to enter politics. He returned to is board of directors in 2019 until 2021 and was the majority shareholder of the company for several years.
Benitez entered the House of Representatives in 2010. During his tenure, he was among the wealthiest members of Congress. In 2018, he was the second-wealthiest member of Congress, amassing a net worth of ₱1.23 billion. He sought the mayoralty of Bacolod in 2022 and won, defeating incumbent mayor Evelio Leonardia. After serving one term, Benitez sought a return to Congress as the representative of Bacolod's lone district.