Benhur Abalos

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is de Castro and the surname or paternal family name is Abalos.

Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos in 2018
Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2021
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Danilo Lim
Mayor of Mandaluyong
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2016
Vice Mayor	Danilo De Guzman (2010-2013) Edward Bartolome (2013-2016)
Preceded by	Neptali Gonzales II
Succeeded by	Carmelita Abalos
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
Vice Mayor	Jesse Cruz
Preceded by	Benjamin Abalos
Succeeded by	Neptali Gonzales II
Member of the House of Representatives from Mandaluyong
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Preceded by	Neptali Gonzales II
Succeeded by	Neptali Gonzales II
Member of the Mandaluyong City Council from the 1st district
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
Personal details
Born	Benjamin de Castro Abalos Jr. (1962-07-19) July 19, 1962 Mandaluyong, Rizal, Philippines
Political party	PDP–Laban (2017–present)
Other political affiliations	Lakas CMD (2003–2009) Lakas Kampi CMD (2009–2017)
Spouse	Carmelita "Menchie" Aguilar ​ ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	7
Parent(s)	Bejamin Abalos Sr. Corazon de Castro
Residence(s)	Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Alma mater	De La Salle University (AB) Ateneo de Manila University (LLB)
Occupation	Public Servant
Profession	Lawyer
Nickname	Benhur

Benjamin "Benhur" de Castro Abalos Jr. (born July 19, 1962) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who currently serves as the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Previously, he served as the city mayor of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, for five terms and as congressman for the same city. He is the son of Benjamin Abalos, a former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and MMDA chairman. In January 2021, Abalos was appointed to the same position in the MMDA as his father following the death of Danilo Lim who died from complications of COVID-19.

Early life and education

Abalos is the second eldest of the five children of Benjamin Abalos and Corazon de Castro. He attended his elementary and secondary education at Don Bosco Technical College, where he completed the latter in 1979. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science at De La Salle University in 1982. He then attended Ateneo de Manila University, where he completed Bachelor of Laws degree in 1987. As a law student at Ateneo, he was a representative to the Student Council during his first and fourth years. He was admitted to the bar in 1987.

Political career

City Councilor of Mandaluyong (July 1995 — March 1998)

Abalos first served as Councilor from the 1st district of Mandaluyong from 1995 to 1998. 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.

Mayor of Mandaluyong (1998—2004)

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.

Congressman, Lone District of Mandaluyong (2004—2007)

In the 2004 elections, he switched positions with a longtime political ally, Rep. Neptali 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.

Mayor of Mandaluyong (2007—2016)

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 Sangguinaang 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.

Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (2021—present)

Abalos (center) sworn in by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman, January 11, 2021

Abalos during a meeting at MMDA

Abalos was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on January 11, 2021, replacing Danilo Lim, who died due to the coronavirus. He vowed to abide by the principle of good governance which he championed in Mandaluyong for more than a decade as its local chief executive. As head of the MMDA, Abalos led the agency in responding to the needs of Metro Manila pursuant to the mandates of the MMDA under Republic Act 7924. With this task at hand, Abalos enjoined all of the agency employees to continue working well in delivering efficient public service. Abalos now faces his new challenge as the chairman of MMDA, a position that his father, Benjamin Sr., also held from 2001 to 2002. Aside from being the MMDA Chairman, he is also the Chairman of the Regional Development Council for the National Capital Region and the presiding officer of the Metro Manila Council (the governing board and policy making body of the MMDA).

Personal life

Abalos is married to Carmelita "Menchie" Aguilar, the incumbent mayor of Mandaluyong, since 1985. He met her when she joined Binibining Pilipinas representing Cavite. They have six children: twins Charisse and Ciara Marie, Benjamin III (Benjie), Charlene Marie, Maria Corazon (Corrine), and Celine Marie. He also has other children, most notably Bharles. Their one identical twin, Ciara Marie, died in 2005 at age 19 due to an Escherichia coli bacterial infection. Their daughter Charisse and son Benjamin III are also in politics, serving as councilor from the 1st and 2nd districts of Mandaluyong, respectively. Their daughter Maria Corazon is one of the delegates for Miss Universe Philippines 2021.

Health

In July 2020, Abalos tested positive for COVID-19, after his father, Benjamin Sr., his mother, and his daughter Charisse tested positive for the disease prior to his diagnosis. He was able to recover from the disease.

Occupation

• Professor/Lecturer, University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance
• Lecturer, Development Academy of the Philippines
• Lecturer, Local Government Academy (DILG)
• Lecturer, De La Salle College of St. Benilde

Awards

AWARDS RECEIVED BY Benjamin "Benhur" de Castro Abalos Jr.

Date	Awards	Description
November 27, 2017	Pioneering Leader in Green Building Program	Given by International Finance Corporation World Bank and adopted by the Department of Public Works and Highways Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City
December 13, 2016	Nutrition Honor Award	The highest award conferred by the National Nutrition Council to an LGUthat has consistently achieved the CROWN Award for three consecutive years. Awarded by National Nutrition Council Philippine International Convention Center
October 27, 2016	Seal of Good Local Governance	For passing all criterion the Core and Essential Components: Good Financial Housekeeping; Social Protection; Disaster Preparedness; Business-friendliness and Competitiveness; Environmental Management; and Peace and Order. Awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Pasay
June 25, 2015	United Nations Public Service Award	In recognition of his excellent performance as a public servantin initiating Project TEACH, a program that extends free services and intervention to childrenwith special needs of indigent families. Awarded by the United Nations thru its Division forPublic Administration and Development Management Medellin, Colombia
September 14, 2015	Seal of Good Local Governance	For passing all criterion the Core and Essential Components: Good Financial Housekeeping; Social Protection; Disaster Preparedness; Business-friendliness and Competitiveness; Environmental Management; and Peace and Order. Awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Executive Building, Mandaluyong City Hall
March 13, 2013	Galing Pook 2012 Awards - Top Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs -	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 Diosdado Macapagal Hall, Landbank Plaza, Malate, Manila Garden of Life Park Awarded by the Galing Pook Foundation in partnership with the Local Government Academy-Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Ford Foundation Diosdado Macapagal Hall, Landbank Plaza, Malate, Manila
2012	Presidential Award For Most Child Friendly City in the Philippines (Highly Urbanized City Category)	Awarded by the Council for the Welfare of Children Malacañang Palace, Manila October 2011 National Level Finalist – 2012.
October 13, 2003	Outstanding City Mayor	Local Government Leadership Award (LGLA), Senate of the Philippines. Awarded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Senator Franklin Drilonand DILG Secretary Joey Lina, University of the Philippines, Ateneo School of Government –Ateneo de Manila, La Salle Institute of Governance – DLSU, Center for Governance, Development Academy of the Philippines, San Carlos University, Mindanao State University and Kalayaan College
January 22, 2016	Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance	For creating a child-sensitive and child-friendly community in protection of the children's rights to survival, development, protection participation. and Awarded by the Council for the Welfare of Children, Wack-Wack Golf & Country Club, Mandaluyong
October 29, 2015	2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Maintenance Award	Conferred by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Philippine International Convention Center
July 19, 2015	Guinness World Records for the largest Zumba class in one location,	An endeavor initiated with City First Lady Menchie Abalos in promoting healthy lifestyle. Guinness World Records, Mandaluyong
April 8, 2015	Gawad Parangal Award - Most Outstanding Mayor	Awarded by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines. SMX Convention Center, Pasay
October 20, 2014	Exemplary Humanitarian Service Award & Champion Activist of Children's Rights and Welfare	Cited by the United Notions Children's Fund & the Philippine Red Cross.
October 24, 2013	Most Business-Friendly City in the Philippines (Highly Urbanized City Category)	Awarded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Philippine Business Conference - Manila Hotel
April 2012	Rank No.2 in Top Performing Cities Based on Locally Generated Revenues 2010-2011 Comparative Report	Department of Finance - Bureau of Local Government Finance Published in Philippine Star
January 13, 2016	Top 3 in Top Performing Cities Based on Locally Generated Revenues	2015 List of Cities with Locally-Sourced Revenues Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 8, 2016	Local Government Luminary 2015	ln recognition of being a Partner for Progress that promotes sustainable developments Awarded by Meralco, Meralco Theater, Pasig
September 14, 2015	Communication Excellence in Organizations (CEO EXCEL) Award	For effectively championing utilization of communication strategies to achieve excellent governance goals. Awarded by the International Association of Business Communicators, Intercontinental Hotel Manila. Makati City
September 30, 2015	Rafael M. Salas Population & Development Award	For his people-centered governance and development initiatives From the Commission on Population, Century Park Hotel, Manila
February 20, 2015	Gawad Kalusugan Award - Excellence in Kalusugan Pangkalahatan	Best performance in achieving systems-based approach in local health reforms. Awarded by the Department of Health
January 2412	The Outstanding Philippine Leadership Excellence Award in Philanthropy (TOP-LEAP)	Outstanding Philanthropist in Public Governance. Awarded by the Rotary Club and the Junior Chamber International Senate of the Philippines
August 2011	Kabalikat Award for Local Government Unit	Awarded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority National Capital Region, TESDA Central Office. Taguig
November 2014	1st Year CROWN Maintenance Award	National Nutrition Council (NNC)
October 2013	Top Performing Local Government Unit in the NCR for 2012	Awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government through the Local Government Performance Management System
2010, 2011, 2012	Green Banner Award (Best in Nutrition Program Management and Implementation)	Awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-NCR
October 2011	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
July 5, 2003	Most Outstanding City Mayor and Public Servant Awardee	14th Annuoa 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, Grand Ballroom Westin Philippine Plaza
May 2003	Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in Metro Manila - DepEd Metro Manila Literacy Awards	In recognition of his initiatives in support of various educational programs, including enhanced computer literacy skills for high-school students and the development of o unique literacy program for children with disabilities. Awarded by the Department of Education, National Capital Region
2003	Most Outstanding Kapampangan	ln the field of Local Governance given by Governor Lito Lapid on the Provincial Government
April 10, 2002	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, Washington Sycip Policy New World Hotel