Marcos cites Abalos’ strong track record
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. cited former Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.’s extensive leadership and experience in public service during the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally in Tacloban City on Friday.
Marcos recalled his decision to appoint Abalos as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2022.
“Noong pag-upo ko po ay iniisip ko sino ba talaga ang nakakaunawa sa mga problema, sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga local government?” Marcos said. “Kahit national government tayo, kapag hindi maganda ang ugnayan ng local government at saka ng national government, hindi po kaya, hindi po maganda ang—hindi po mailalabas ang mga programa agaran.”
“Kaya po inisip ko, sino ba ang nalalaman ko na nakakaunawa sa local government?” Marcos said.
He noted that Abalos’ leadership as Mayor of Mandaluyong City played a crucial role in his appointment as the country’s top local government official.
“Sabi ko, ‘Balitang-balita may magaling na mayor sa Mandaluyong City.’ Kaya po ay sabi ko, ‘Kilala ko yata ‘yan kung sino ‘yan. Si Mayor Benhur Abalos ng Mandaluyong City.’ Tamang-tama ‘yan, ilagay natin siya sa DILG,” Marcos added.
“Si Mayor Benhur Abalos, mayor ng Mandaluyong City. Eh kaya po sumikat si Benhur Abalos bilang mayor dahil maraming po siyang – habang noong mayor siya, napakarami ang natanggap niyang mga premyo. Napakarami ang mga pagkilala na ibinigay sa kanya dahil sa napakaganda niyang takbo sa Mandaluyong City,” Marcos said.
Abalos turned the city into the “Tiger City of the Philippines” after it saw rapid economic growth, improved service. Under his watch, Mandaluyong was recognized twice as the most business-friendly city in the country by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, most child-friendly city presidential award, and best in nutrition, among others.
Abalos also championed social programs, including Project TEACH, which provided free therapy, education, and medical assistance to children with disabilities. The initiative earned international recognition, receiving the United Nations Public Service Award. His Garden of Life Park, which transformed an overcrowded cemetery into a well-organized and dignified public cemetery, won the prestigious Galing Pook Award. Last week, former Vice President Leni Robredo praised the Garden of Life cemetery and expressed interest to replicate it in Naga City.
As mayor, Abalos also spearheaded a comprehensive housing program that provided secure and affordable homes for approximately 8,000 families, significantly improving their quality of life.
If elected senator, Abalos aims to push for key legislative measures, including the removal of value-added tax on electricity, grant of gratuity incentives for job order employees in government, financial assistance for farmers and fisherfolk, and amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991, among other reforms aimed at improving public welfare.
