Benjamin Abalos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Abalos Sr.
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Abalos, portrait
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| Mayor of Mandaluyong | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 |
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| Vice Mayor | Carmelita Abalos |
| Preceded by | Carmelita Abalos |
| In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Roman delos Reyes (OIC) |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Abalos Jr. |
| In office February 25, 1986 – December 1, 1987 Officer In Charge |
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| Appointed by | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Ernesto Domingo |
| Succeeded by | Roman delos Reyes (OIC) |
| Chairman of the Commission on Elections |
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| In office June 5, 2002 – October 1, 2007 |
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| Appointed by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Alfredo Benipayo |
| Succeeded by | Resurreccion Borra |
| Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority |
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| In office January 20, 2001 – June 5, 2002 |
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| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Jejomar Binay |
| Succeeded by | Bayani Fernando |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Santos Abalos
September 21, 1934 San Manuel, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | PFP (2023–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
PDP–Laban (2017–23) Lakas-CMD (1991–2017) LDP (1988-91) |
| Spouse |
Corazon de Castro
(m. 1960; |
| Children | 5 (including Benhur) |
| Residences | Mandaluyong, Metro Manila |
| Education | Ateneo de Manila University (A.B.) Manuel L. Quezon University (LL.B) |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Benjamin Santos Abalos Sr. (born September 21, 1934) is a Filipino politician. He is currently the mayor of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. He has served as mayor of Mandaluyong multiple times. He was also the chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). He also led the MMDA. His son, Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., is also a well-known politician.
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Early Life and Education
Benjamin Abalos Sr. was born on September 21, 1934, in Pangasinan. He came from a humble family. He studied economics at Ateneo de Manila University. Later, he graduated from Manuel L. Quezon University in 1957. To support his studies, he worked various jobs. He was a janitor, a messenger, a factory worker, and even a caddy. He worked at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
Legal Career
Abalos became a lawyer in 1958. He started his career as a fiscal, which is like a prosecutor. Later, he was appointed as a judge. He even became the President of the Judges Association of the Philippines. He was recognized as the Outstanding Judge of the Philippines for ten years in a row.
Political Journey
Benjamin Abalos Sr. began his political journey in 1963. He first ran for vice mayor of Mandaluyong. At that time, Mandaluyong was a municipality in Rizal. He did not win that election.
In 1980, he ran for mayor of Mandaluyong. He lost to the candidate supported by then-President Ferdinand Marcos. After President Marcos was removed from office in 1986, President Corazon Aquino appointed Abalos. He became the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Mandaluyong.
Mayor of Mandaluyong
As OIC, he ran for mayor in the 1988 local elections. These were the first elections under the new 1987 Constitution. He won the election. He was re-elected two more times, in 1992 and 1995. This meant he served three terms, which is the limit for local officials.
During his time as mayor, Mandaluyong became a city in 1994. The city also saw a lot of economic growth. New shopping malls and the Marketplace were built. He also started housing projects for families. He created the first Office for Disabled People in Metro Manila. In 1996, he launched the Mandaluyong Collegiate Scholarship. He also oversaw the building of the city's first hospital. This was the Mandaluyong City Medical Center. A training center for technical skills was also built.
After serving his three terms, he ran for a seat in Congress in 1998. However, he did not win that election.
Leading MMDA
On January 20, 2001, Abalos was appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The MMDA is responsible for planning and coordinating services in Metro Manila. He held this position for about a year.
Leading COMELEC
On June 5, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him. He became the chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). COMELEC is the government body that manages elections in the Philippines. He resigned from this role on October 1, 2007.
Return as Mayor
In 2022, Benjamin Abalos Sr. ran for mayor of Mandaluyong again. He said he wanted to fulfill a promise to his late wife. He wanted to spend his remaining years serving the people of Mandaluyong. He won the election by a large margin. This marked his return as mayor after 24 years.
Family Life
Benjamin Abalos Sr. married Corazon de Castro in 1960. They had five children together. His sons, Benjamin Jr. and Jonathan, also became politicians. Benjamin Jr. is currently the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. He was also a former mayor of Mandaluyong. Jonathan served as a city councilor for three terms. His wife, Corazon, passed away on January 25, 2021.
