By CESAR JOLITO III

Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the House of Representatives must undergo a leadership change to restore its credibility, stressing that public distrust has deepened amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in the government’s flood control projects.

Benitez said the flood control mess has placed the chamber in a negative light, with hearings raising suspicions of a cover-up.

“It has come to a point nga kabudlay na gid. Our House of Representatives is already being dragged into the flood control mess and, in effect, it appears may cover-up,” he said.

He pointed out that Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco’s decision to present his findings to the Senate as proof that confidence within Congress itself is eroding.

“We need to really change the leadership because of the distrust of the general public,” Benitez said.

When asked about Tiangco’s endorsement of him as a possible successor to Speaker Martin Romualdez, Benitez clarified that it should be a decision of the majority.

“Kung ano gid ang gusto sang majority of my colleagues, amo na ang akon nga sundon. But we need a person with credibility and integrity, someone who can bring those accountable to justice and help the government recover ill-gotten assets,” he said.

Benitez also admitted that it is a difficult time to be a member of Congress, saying the institution’s reputation has been tainted by successive controversies.

“Now is not the right time to be in Congress. Tanan nga tawo galantaw sa amon nga daw kawatan na gid kag involve sa anomalies. Whoever is in Congress feels the heat,” he said.

Despite this, Benitez underscored the urgency of a leadership overhaul, saying Romualdez should consider stepping aside for the good of the institution.

“For me, indi na tenable ang iya position. He needs to make the supreme sacrifice,” he added./CJ, WDJ