Benjamin Abalos, Jr.

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 Abalos, and Corazon Abalos.^[2]

Political life

Abalos first served as Mayor (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 1996. 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 six children. They are Charisse and Ciara Marie (deceased)(Twins), Benjamin III, Charlene Marie, Maria Corazon and Celine Marie.^[3]

Nickname

• Paboritong anak ni Benjamin Abalos
• Best Mayor of Mandaluyong
• No Absent Congressman

Awards and recognition

• Galing Pook Awards - Top Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs

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

• The Outstanding Philippine Leadership Excellence Award in Philanthropy (TOP-LEAP)

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

• Presidential Award For Most Child Friendly City in the Philippines

(Highly Urbanized City Category) awarded at the Malacanang Palace

October 2011

National Level Finalist - 2012

• 1st Gen. Miguel Malvar Special Award

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

• Balalaika Award for Local Government Unit (National Capital Region)

Awarded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

August 2011

• Green Banner Award (Best in Nutrition Program Management and Implementation)

in Metro Manila for the years 2010 and 2011

Awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-NCR

• Outstanding City Mayor

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

• Speaker, Mayors Asia Pacific Environment Summit (MAPES)

Honolulu, Hawaii

September 22–24, 2003

• 2003 Most Outstanding City Mayor and Public Servant Awardee

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

• 2003 Dept of Education Metro Manila Literacy Awards

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.

• 2003 Most Outstanding Kapampangan

In the field of Local Governance

Given by Governor Lito Lapid and the Provincial Government

• Mandaluyong: The New Tiger City of Metro Manila

(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

• 2002 Dangal ng Bayan Award

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

• 2001 Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines

Cited by the Towns and Cities International Magazine

Awarded by then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

National Press Club, May 25, 2000

• 2000 Special Award

Campaign against Illegal Drugs

Given by the International Narcotic Enforcement Association

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

• “Pro Deo et Patria” (For God and Country) Award

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

• 1998 Outstanding Public Servant Awardee

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

• 1998 Apolinario Mabini Awardee

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

• Most Active LGU in giving employment assistance to its constituents
• First LGU to respond to AHON-BATA projects of Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• Honorary Membership Awardee

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

• Special Award for Outstanding Services rendered to the Scouting Movement

Crown Peak Leisure Hotel and Convention Center

Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, May 25, 1999

• 1998 Most Outstanding Alumnus

Don Bosco Technical College

• Commended by the Commission on Human Rights for the city’s high regard on the rights of the people while standing firm on its resolve to rid the city of prohibited drugs.
• Young Achievers Awardee in the field of government and public service given by the Golden Mother and Father Foundation during the 1997 PARANGAL NG BAYAN Awards
• Most Outstanding Councilor of the Year 1996

Awarded by Media Reporters and Observers Association of the Philippines during the 1996 GAWAD PARANGAL Awards

• Recognition for invaluable and tangible support to the successful implementation of the Corruption Prevention Program and Moral Recovery of the Government

Given by the Moral Recovery Program Task Group, Inc. in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman, November 6, 1998

• 1995 Most Outstanding Councilor of the Year

Awarded by the Eastern Metro Rizal Press Corps on April 20, 1996

• One of Ten Filipino Delegates chosen by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) on a Study Program to the USA

References