Benjamin Abalos, Jr.

Benjamin D.C. Abalos, Jr.
Mayor of Mandaluyong City
Assumed office
June 30, 2007
Preceded by Neptali Gonzales II
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
Preceded by Benjamin Abalos, Sr.
Succeeded by Neptali Gonzales II
Member of the House of Representatives from Mandaluyong City
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by Neptali Gonzales II
Succeeded by Neptali Gonzales II
Personal details
Born Benjamin de Castro Abalos
(1962-07-19) July 19, 1962
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Political party Lakas Kampi CMD (since 2009)
Other political
affiliations		 Lakas CMD (2003-2009)
Spouse(s) Carmelita Aguilar
Relations Benjamin Abalos (father)
Children Charisse Marie Abalos
Ciara Marie Abalos†
Benjamin Abalos III
Charlene Marie Abalos
Maria Corazon Abalos
Celine Marie Abalos
Residence Mandaluyong, Rizal
Alma mater Ateneo de Manila University
De La Salle University
Occupation Politician

Benjamin de Castro Abalos, Jr. (born 19 July 1962) is a politician from the Republic of the Philippines and is known locally as "Benhur." He currently serves as the mayor of Mandaluyong City and is the son of former COMELEC chairman Benjamin Abalos. Abalos is known for the industrial and commercial development of Mandaluyong City.[1]

Early life

Abalos is the second eldest of the five children of Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr., and Corazon de Castro.[2]

Political life

Abalos first served as a city councilor (District 1) of Mandaluyong from 1995 to 1998.[3] In that role, he chaired the Committee on Laws, Peace & Order and Public Safety and served on the Committee on Angara Affairs and Livelihood and Cooperatives.

Abalos was first elected mayor in 1998. His brand of governance was credited for transforming Mandaluyong into the “Tiger City of the Philippines” in just one term of office. He served as the local chief executive until 2004.

In the 2004 elections, he switched positions with a longtime political ally, Rep. Nepali Gonzales II, to become the city's lone representative to the House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress. Abalos served in this capacity until 2007. As a member of the lower house, he authored a total of 25 House bills and co-authored 54 others. He sponsored the biggest budget of the Philippine Sports Commission in its entire history. In addition, Abalos was the principal author of Republic Act No. 9397, otherwise known as the Amended Urban Development Housing Act of 1992.

In 2007, Abalos was again elected mayor of Mandaluyong. In his second term as mayor, Abalos set new records after being elected as president of two national organizations. The first organization was the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), an organization of all 1.2 million elected/appointed local officials in the country and their umbrella organizations (League of Governors, League of Vice Governors, Board Members, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councillors, and Sanguinaang Kabataan, as well as nurses' and midwives' organizations). The second organization was the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), an organization of all 122 city mayors of the country. He was the first mayor to hold the presidency of these two prestigious organizations concurrently. His term in ULAP was also the first time a mayor had headed ULAP, which had traditionally been headed by a governor.

Personal life

Abalos is married to Carmelita Aguilar. They have five children. They are Charisse Marie and Ciara Marie (deceased)(Twins), Benjamin III, Charlene Marie and Maria Corazon.[3]

Nickname

Awards and recognition

Garden of Life Park and Project T.E.A.C.H. (Therapy, Education and Assimilation of Children with Handicap)
Awarded by the Galing Pook Foundation in partnership with the Local Government Academy-Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Ford Foundation
February 2012
Outstanding Philanthropist in Public Governance
Awarded by the Rotary Club of Cuba East-D3780, in partnership with the Countrywide Technology Development (CTD) Foundation, Inc. and the Junior Chamber International-Senate Philippines at the AFP  :Commissioned Officers Clubhouse, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
January 2012
(Highly Urbanized City Category) awarded at the Malacanang Palace
October 2011
National Level Finalist - 2012
Outstanding Performance in Local Government Service & Most Significant Achievement of a Local Official in Nation Building, People Empowerment & Community Development
Awarded by the Philippine-American War Centennial Foundation
October 2011
Awarded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
August 2011
in Metro Manila for the years 2010 and 2011
Awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-NCR
Local Government Leadership Award (LGLA)
Senate of the Philippines
Awarded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Senator Franklin Drilon and DILG Secretary Joey Lina
University of the Philippines, Ateneo School of Government - Ateneo de Manila, La Salle Institute of Governance – DLSU, Centre for Governance Development Academy of the Philippines, San Carlos University,  :Mindanao State University and Malayan College
October 13, 2003
Honolulu, Hawaii
September 22–24, 2003
14th Annual National Consumers Awards
(in recognition of his innovative leadership, pioneering programs and sterling record in public service)
Awarded by the Consumers Union of the Philippines at the Grand Ballroom Westin Philippine Plaza, July 5, 2003
Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in Metro Manila
(in recognition of his initiatives in support of various educational programs, including enhanced computer literacy skills for high-school students and the development of a unique literacy program for :children with disabilities.
Awarded by the Department of Education, National Capital Region, May 2003.
In the field of Local Governance
Given by Governor Lito Lapid and the Provincial Government
(2nd Most Vibrant City Economy in the Country)
Awarded by Asian Institute of Management & the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas
Washington Sycip Policy at New World Hotel, April 10, 2002
Young Professional Awardee for Government and Public Service
Given by the Who’s Who in the Philippines’ Award jointly organized by the WWPA Foundation, National Consumers Council and the Parangal ng Bayan Foundation
Philamlife Theatre, UN Avenue Manila, September 28, 2002
Cited by the Towns and Cities International Magazine
Awarded by then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
National Press Club, May 25, 2000
Campaign against Illegal Drugs
Given by the International Narcotic Enforcement Association
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The highest honor given by Don Bosco Technical College to its most outstanding alumnus whose person incarnates the school’s graduate - “The good Christian and honest citizen”
Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong City, May 2000
10th Annual National Consumers Awards in recognition of his endearing service to the people of Mandaluyong.
Given by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada at the Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang, May 29, 1999
Local Government Unit of the Year – City of Mandaluyong for being the best local government unit with the best programs and projects for disabled persons
Awarded by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Heroes Hall, Malacañang, April 16, 1998
In recognition of this people service and contributing to the Real State Industry in general and to Urban Planning and Development in the City of Mandaluyong in particular.
Given by PAREB Mandaluyong City Realtors Board, Inc, February 18, 1999
Crown Peak Leisure Hotel and Convention Center
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, May 25, 1999
Don Bosco Technical College
Awarded by Media Reporters and Observers Association of the Philippines during the 1996 GAWAD PARANGAL Awards
Given by the Moral Recovery Program Task Group, Inc. in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman, November 6, 1998
Awarded by the Eastern Metro Rizal Press Corps on April 20, 1996

References

  1. ↑ Calapati, Jimmy (31 July 2002). "Development with a heart". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  2. ↑ CoM (2008). "Mandaluyong City Mayor". City of Mandaluyong. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  3. 1 2 http://mandaluyong.gov.ph/govt/mayor.aspx
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