Benjamin Abalos

For Abalos' son (also a politician) see, see Benjamin Abalos, Jr.
This name uses Philippine naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Santos and the second or paternal family name is Abalos.
Benjamin Abalos
Chairman of the Commission on Elections
In office
June 5, 2002  October 1, 2007
Appointed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded by Alfredo Benipayo
Succeeded by Resurreccion Borra
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
In office
January 20, 2001  June 5, 2002
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded by Jejomar Binay
Succeeded by Bayani Fernando
Mayor of Mandaluyong City
In office
June 30, 1988  June 30, 1998
Preceded by Roman delos Reyes (Officer In-Charge)
Succeeded by Benjamin Abalos, Jr.
Officer In-Charge Mayor of Mandaluyong
In office
1986–1987
Preceded by Ernesto Domingo
Succeeded by Roman delos Reyes (Officer In-Charge)
Personal details
Born Benjamin Santos Abalos, Sr.
(1935-09-21) September 21, 1935
Pangasinan, Philippine Islands
Nationality Filipino
Political party Lakas Kampi CMD
Other political
affiliations
Lakas CMD (1992-2009)
LDP (before 1992)
Spouse(s) Corazon "Cora" de Castro
Children 4 (including Benjamin Jr.)
Alma mater Manuel L. Quezon University
Occupation Judge, Lawyer
Religion Roman Catholic

Benjamin Santos Abalos, Sr. (born September 21, 1935 in Pangasinan) is a Filipino politician who served as a former chairman of the Commission on Elections. He was also a former chairman of the MMDA and mayor of Mandaluyong City. He is the father of current Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr..

Early life

Abalos was born into a poor family in Pangasinan on September 21, 1935. He studied Economics at Ateneo De Manila University and graduated from the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) in 1957. Abalos supported himself through college by taking several jobs, working as a janitor, factory worker, and a caddy at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Political career

In 1963 Abalos ran for vice mayor of Mandaluyong, which was then part of Rizal and lost to the scion of a political family. After his initial attempt to enter politics, Abalos served as a Trial Court Judge wherein he gained the distinction of being named as outstanding judge for 10 straight years.

He ran for Mandaluyong mayor in 1980, losing to the candidate of former Philippine Dictator Ferdinand Marcos. In 1986, shortly after Marcos was ousted through a popular uprising, President Corazon Aquino appointed him as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the then municipality of Mandaluyong.

As OIC of the town, he ran for the post of mayor and won in the local elections of 1988, the first local elections under the 1987 Constitution. He was re-elected three times in the elections of 1992, 1995, and 1998, making him one of the two Aquino OIC appointees who survived and secured the constitution-mandated three consecutive terms limit for local officials.

Abalos was a former member of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) later joining the then newly formed Lakas NUCD-CMD.

Chairman of MMDA

On January 20, 2001, Abalos was appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a post he held until the following year.

Chairman of COMELEC

On June 5, 2002 President Arroyo appointed Abalos to replace Alfredo Benipayo after the latter failed to secure the confirmation of his appointment from the Commission on Appointments (CA)

Impeachment complaint

On September 27, 2007, Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico filed a 64-page impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. before the House of Representatives of the Philippines regarding the ZTE national broadband network (NBN) deal. It was endorsed by Representatives Teofisto Guingona III of Bukidnon and Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna (People First), and Zamboanga City Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco. Affidavits from Romulo Neri and Jose de Venecia III supported the complaint.[1][2] On October 1, 2007, Abalos resigned during a press conference. The Commission on Elections appointed Resurreccion Borra as Acting Chairman.[3]

Personal life

He is married to Corazon de Castro with whom he has 5 children including incumbent Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr. more popularly known as Benhur.

See also

References

  1. Inquirer.net, Impeachment raps filed vs Abalos at House by Iloilo vice gov
  2. GMA NEWS.TV, Impeachment raps filed vs Abalos over ZTE controversy
  3. WSJ, Philippine Voting Chief Quits Amid Bribe Queries
Political offices
Preceded by
Alfredo Benipayo
COMELEC Chairman
2002–2007
Succeeded by
Resurreccion Borra
(Acting)
Preceded by
Jejomar Binay
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
2001–2002
Succeeded by
Bayani Fernando
Preceded by
Neptali Gonzales
Mayor of Mandaluyong City
Prior to 1988, Officer-in-Charge Mayor of Mandaluyong City

1986–2001
Succeeded by
Benjamin Abalos, Jr.
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