meet benhur abalos

WHY DO WE NEED BENHUR ABALOS IN THE SENATE?

A Catalyst of Transformative Local Governance

Benhur’s 15-year tenure as the mayor of Mandaluyong turned the once dormantmetropolis into a model city, earning recognition from the Department of Trade andIndustry and the Asian Institute of Management in 2002. The city thrived, with yearlyincome vastly ascending from P41 million in 1986 to P1.2 billion by 2001.

In 2012, Mandaluyong proudly earned the title “Tiger City of the Philippines,” a nod toBenhur’s relentless pursuit of progress and excellence.

As a Congressman from 2004 to 2007, Benhur championed local governmentempowerment and educational reform. Despite being the youngest Executive Presidentof the National Movement of Young Legislators, he made significant strides in improvinghealthcare, education, and housing for Mandaluyong's residents.

His leadership extended to roles as president of both the Union of Local Authorities ofthe Philippines and the League of Cities of the Philippines, culminating in multiple titlesas the Outstanding City Mayor, and receiving the prestigious National Builder Award,United Nations Public Service Award and the Gawad Galing Pook Award.

A Champion of Urban Management

In 2021, Benhur took the helm as Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila DevelopmentAuthority (MMDA), championing a strategic focus on two key areas: traffic managementand flood mitigation. He has led comprehensive road-clearing operations to alleviatetraffic congestion and improve mobility. He has undertaken flood-mitigation projects,including constructing drainage systems and removing obstructions in waterways.

An Architect for Public Safety and Governance

During his stint as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and LocalGovernment (DILG), Benhur significantly improved public safety. Crime rates decreasedby 3.29% in early 2024, resulting in the Philippines being recognized as the third safestcountry in Southeast Asia.

One of Benhur's most notable achievements as DILG Secretary was organizing thelargest drug seizure in the country's history: a 1.4-ton haul valued at approximately PHP9.68 billion in Alitagtag, Batangas, which led to a 700% increase in drug confiscations.Additionally, he led the successful apprehension of high-profile fugitives, including AliceGuo, Apollo Quiboloy, and Teddy Meijia, reaffirming his commitment to upholding thelaw and strengthening national security.

A top-performing Cabinet member with a 92% satisfaction rating among Filipinos,Benhur's initiatives, such as the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program,directly targeted illegal drug issues, resulting in 68% of barangays being declared drug-free. His Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPSB) initiative significantly improvedcommunity safety and decreased crime rates.

He likewise introduced the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for Barangays,where 1,028 barangays have feted the citation in excellent governance in thecommunities. Under his leadership, 493 local government units passed the SGLG in2023, the highest since its inception.

A Scholarly Leader

Benhur’s academic path demonstrates his dedication to excellence. He started at DonBosco Technical College, then earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Sciencefrom De La Salle University, where he was involved in student governance. Hiscommitment to justice led him to pursue a Bachelor of Laws degree at Ateneo de ManilaUniversity, graduating in 1987 and passing the Philippine Bar that same year.

Beyond being a public servant, Benhur is a dynamic leader, whose lasting impactcontinues to inspire progress in the Philippines.