Mandaluyong Rep. Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr.
takes his oath of office before his father, Commission
on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. at the
city gymnasium today - June 29, 2004.

Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
Congressman
City of Mandaluyong

Born on July 19, 1962, "Benhur," as he is more popularly known in Mandaluyong, is the second of five children of the former mayor Benjamin S. Abalos and Corazon de Castro.

Benhur finished his primary and secondary schooling in 1975 and 1979 respectively, at the Don Bosco Technical College. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in History & Political Science at the De La Salle University in 1982, and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1987, graduating within the upper third bracket of his class. After passing the bar that same year, Benhur pursued his career as a lawyer and eventually put up his own law firm.

In high school, he was Features Editor of The Spark, the official newsletter of Don Bosco Technical College. In college, he was a member of KAPAKSA and a recipient (in the year 1981-1982 3rd Trimester) of the Jose Rizal Second Honors. While in law school, he became a member of the Fraternal Order of Utopia and the Ateneo Legal Aid.

He was active in student affairs at the Ateneo where he served for two terms as a Student Council Representative. As an activist in the anti-Marcos youth movement in Metro Manila during the 80's, he was one of the student leaders that organized the student front in the Edsa Revolution of 1986.

Early in his career, Benhur involved himself in various socio-civic organizations. He founded the Samahan sa Mandaluyong ng Kabataang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA), a federation of active youth organizations in the City, and is a founding member of the Justice for Evelio Javier Movement. He is the adviser and legal counsel of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Mandaluyong, the Federation of Vendors of Mandaluyong, the Federation of Jeepney and Tricycle Drivers, and the Public Order and Safety Personnel.

His other involvements include being class alumni president at the Ateneo de Manila College of Law (1987), President of the Don Bosco Mandaluyong Alumni Association (1979) and Professional Sector Head of the Don Bosco Chamber of Commerce (1993-94). As director of the Mandaluyong Jaycees, he was conferred the "Nardz Ocampo Award" as Most Outstanding Project Chairman. He was the founder and organizer of various sports activities and sports clinics in Mandaluyong. Benhur’s most significant contribution in national sports has been as Team Manager of the Philippine-Mandaluyong Women’s Softball team which bagged the 1996 Thailand Open Invitational championship held in Bangkok.

Benhur first served the government when he was appointed commissioner of the city’s People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) from 1991 to 1994. During his term, Mandaluyong was named Most Outstanding PLEB by the National Police Commission.

In the May 1995 local elections, Benhur run for the City Council and was elected as the No. 1 Councilor for the First District of Mandaluyong. He chaired the council’s Committee on Laws, Peace and Order, and Public Safety. He was also a member of the Committee on Barangay Affairs and the Committee on Livelihood and Cooperatives.

Even beyond Mandaluyong, Benhur has shown leadership among his peers. He was elected Executive Vice-President of the National Movement of Young Legislators, and Vice President of the Metro Manila Councilor’s League. In 1996, he was chosen by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) as a delegate to the United States Political Study & Exchange Program.

Most Outstanding City Mayor
Local Government Leadership Award
Senate of the Philippines
October 13, 2003
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos receives a plaque from Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr., chair of the National Selection Committee for being one of the Six Outstanding City Mayors at the Local Government Leadership Awards (LGLA) held at the Senate as the nation celebrated the 12th anniversary of the enactment of the Local Government Code.

Awardee-Mayor Asia Pacific Environmental Summit (MAPES)
Honolulu, Hawaii
September 23-24, 2003
Environmental Award
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos receives an award for his city's achievements in environmental sustainability from Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and Dr. Karl Hausker, chair and co-chair respectively of the Mayors Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit (MAPES) held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu last September 23-24.

2003 Most Outstanding City Mayor and Public Servant Awardee
14th Annual 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 July 05, 2003, Friday at Grand Ballroom Westin Philippine Plaza

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos receives a trophy as Most Outstanding City Mayor & Public Servant, his third award in five years from the Consumers Union of the Philippines (CUP) during the 14th Annual Consumers Award held at the Westin Philippine Plaza. Abalos was cited for his innovative leadership, pioneering programs and sterling record in public service. With him in the awards rites are CUP President, Commissioner Quirino Marquinez and Bishop Sonia Lim.

DepEd Metro Manila 2003 Literacy Awards 2003
Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in Metro Manila in recognition of his initiatives in support of various education programs, including enhanced computer literacy skills for high school students and the development of a unique literacy program for children with disabilities. Awarded by the Department of Education, national Capital Region May 2003.

2002 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee
Young Professional Awardee for Government and Public Service
Given by the Who’s Who in the Philippine’s award jointly organized By the WWPA Foundation, National Consumers Council and the Parangal ng Bayan Foundation. Philamlife Theatre; UN Avenue Manila. September 28,2002

Dangal ng Bayan
Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos shares the limelight with son, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos for being an awardee of the prestigious "Who's Who in the Philippines" Dangal ng Bayan Category. The award is given to people who had manifested sincere and honest service to the public. Handing over the trophy is Senator Robert Barbers.

2000 Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines
Cited by the Towns and Cities International Magazine
Awarded by then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
National Press Club, May 25,2000

1998 Outstanding Public Servant Awardee
10th Annual National Consumers Awards in recognition of his endearing service to the people of Mandaluyong. Given by President Joseph EjercitoEstrada on May 29, 1999, Saturday at the Kalayaan Hall, Malacanang.

1998 Apolinario Mabini Awardee
Local Government Unit of the Year-City of Mandaluyong for being local gvernment unit with the best programs and projects for disabled persons Awarded by his Excellency President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
April 16,1998, Heroes Hall, Malacanang.

1998 Most Outstanding Alumnus
Don Bosco Technical College

Commended by the Commission on Human Rights for the city’s high regard on the rights of the people while standing firm on its resolve to rid the city of prohibited drugs.

Young Achievers Awardee in the field of government and public service given by the Golden Mother and Father Foundation during the 1997 PARANGAL NG BAYAN Awards.

Special Award for Outstanding Services rendered to the Scouting Movement
Crow Peak Leisure Hotel and Convention Center
Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales
May 25, 1999

Executive Vice President, NATIONAL Movement of Young Legislators

Executive Vice President, Metro Manila Councilors League

Organization Director, Asia – Pacific conference of Young Political Leaders

Commissioner (Appointed 1991), People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) under whose term PLEB Mandaluyong was chosen as Most Outstanding PLEB of 1993-94 by the National Police Commission

Founder & President, Samahan sa Mandaluyong ng mga Kabataang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA)

Chairman, DOLE – Working Youth Club Council, Community Action on Child labor Council