The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed all criminal and administrative complaints against Alfredo Benitez and other Bacolod City officials over the 2023 government purchase of land at Hacienda Conchita in Barangay Granada.
In a Joint Resolution dated April 14, 2026, the anti-graft body found insufficient evidence to support allegations of overpricing, conflict of interest, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.
The Ombudsman said the land valuation followed approved zonal values and proper appraisal procedures, and found no proof of bad faith, manifest partiality, or gross negligence among the officials.
It also ruled that committee memberships cited in the complaint did not automatically constitute a conflict of interest.
The case, which involved the ₱971.86-million acquisition of a 74.7587-hectare property for land banking and development, was fully dismissed along with a request for preventive suspension.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 29, 2026
