Albee Benitez

Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Bantug Benitez (born December 20, 1966) is a Filipino-American businessman, politician and former athlete serving as the mayor of Bacolod since 2022. He served three consecutive terms as the representative of Negros Occidental's 3rd district from 2010 to 2019, and was one of the richest congressmen in the Philippines.

Born and raised at Palo Alto, California, Benitez started his business career by establishing Bingo Bonanza Corp. in 1993. He was later elected a congressman for Negros Occidental's 3rd district in 2010. He is credited with creating numerous television programs such as Game Changer for ANC and the variety shows Sunday Noontime Live! and Tropang LOL for TV5 among others. He also briefly operated the online cockfighting (e-sabong) company Visayas Cockers Club Inc. under the brand Sabong International PH prior to President Rodrigo Duterte's nationwide ban on e-sabong operations in May 2022.

Biography
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. He is the founder of Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, Inc. in 1982, and the Kaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital.

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.

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.

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.

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. Benitez initiated the Silay Negros Occidental Convention Center project near the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

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

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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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,   though by May 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered all e-sabong operations to be suspended.

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.