MANILA — Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., a former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and longtime mayor, has emerged as a strong contender in the country’s upcoming 2025 senatorial elections, according to a recent Tangere survey.
The poll placed Abalos in ninth position.
Abalos served as Mayor of Mandaluyong City for 15 years. His tenure as mayor transformed Mandaluyong into a hub of progressive local governance, earning awards as the Best Child-Friendly City, Most Business-Friendly City, and recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance seven times.
One of Abalos’s signature achievements is the Project TEACH program, which provides therapy and education for children with disabilities. The initiative garnered international recognition, winning the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award for its innovative approach to inclusive governance.
As mayor, Abalos prioritized education, providing free tuition from daycare to college along with school supplies such as uniforms, bags, and laptops for students and teachers alike. These efforts helped propel Mandaluyong students to the top of the country’s National Achievement Tests, while his comprehensive nutrition programs earned the city the title of Best in Nutrition.
During his stint as DILG Secretary, the government confiscated a record-breaking ₱33.8 billion worth of illegal drugs within the first two years of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. His tenure also saw the establishment of over 200 new fire stations and the distribution of fire trucks to underserved areas. Additionally, he championed equitable access to senior citizen benefits, issuing a directive to local governments to depoliticize their distribution.
Now running under President Marcos’s Alyansa Para sa Pagbabago 2025 coalition, Abalos aims improve the quality of life for every Filipino.
Abalos also seeks to amend the Local Government Code to streamline the division of responsibilities between national and local governments. His legislative agenda also includes initiatives to lower electricity costs, improve access to affordable agricultural loans, and attract investments to create more jobs.
The Tangere survey results, released just months ahead of the official campaign season, suggest that Abalos is well-positioned to leverage his achievements and policy proposals to secure a seat in the Senate. (ADV)
