Negros LP chief bolts party

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, chairman of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) in the province, has confirmed that he has left the party.

“They asked me if I am with the Liberal Party and I said I am independent,” Benitez said on Wednesday.

Benitez, of the province’s third district and the fourth richest congressman in the country, was replaced by former governor Rafael Coscolluela as provincial party chairman.

He said he is no longer with the LP, as he is seeking reelection for his last term as an independent candidate in next year’s elections.

The lawmaker said he met with LP standard bearer Manuel Roxas last week, but they never talked about his status with the party.

Benitez, chairman of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives, said he quit because the party fielded candidates who do not support politicians that  he is backing, particularly in his district.

He said he would announce his choice of presidential candidate in due time.

Reports had it that Benitez would support Sen. Grace Poe’s presidential bid.