Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. City of Mandaluyong Mayor President, League of Cities of the Philippines President, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
Honorable Benjamin De Castro Abalos, Jr., fondly called as Benhur, is currently the President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), which is represented by more than 45,000 elected local officials in the country.

ULAP is comprised of 11 member-organizations including the League of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities, Vice Governors League, Vice Mayors League, Philippine Councilors League, Provincial Board Members League, Liga ng mga Barangay, National Movement of Young Legislators, Lady Legislators League and the Pambansang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan.

In another historic move, Mayor Benhur was also unanimously elected at the helm of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), an organization composed of 120 city mayors in the country.

Mayor Benhur concurrently serves as ULAP and LCP President, and under his term, he vows to "strengthen the cohesive force in the League, advocate the concerns of members and continue concerted efforts in making the organization more relevant to the times".

The prominence of Mayor Benhur is greatly attributed to his brand of governance. Under his leadership, he has transformed Mandaluyong as the ‘Tiger City of the Philippines’ which was also cited by the Department of Trade and Industry, Asian Institute of Management and the SGV Policy Center.

In 2003 alone, Mandaluyong generated a total of P11.177 billion worth of investments, an affirmation of the confidence of businessmen in the local administration.

No less than the World Bank has rated Mandaluyong as the Most Business-Friendly City in the Philippines in terms of Registering Property in its recent Doing Business Report.

While the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center conferred Mandaluyong as ‘Best in Quality of Life’ in its latest city competitiveness study.

Mandaluyong's project TEACH (Therapy, Education, Assimilation for Children with Handicap) that aims to promote the welfare of children with special needs thru early intervention program was awarded as one of the 30 best projects in line with the World Bank's Panibagong Paraan Competition for Innovative Ideas.

Benhur has been the city's Chief Executive from 1998-2001, 2001-2004, and 2007 to the present. He served as the Lone Representative of Mandaluyong to the Philippine Congress from 2004-2007.

During his tenure as Congressman, Benhur has impressively delivered and authored a total of 25 legislations and co-authored 54 House Bills all geared to champion the welfare of the underprivileged.

He pursued the sponsorship of the biggest budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in its entire history. Most significantly, Benhur principally authored Republic Act No.9397 - the Amended Urban Development Housing Act of 1992 or popularly known as ‘Abalos Law’.

Although a neophyte in the House of Representatives, Benhur was cited as one of the 30 Most Outstanding Congressmen of the 13^th Congress because of his impressive track record and vital contributions in the legislative branch of the government.

In 1998, he was cited by the Annual Consumers Award as the Outstanding Public Servant Awardee.

In year 2000, he was awarded as Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines by then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo thru the Towns and Cities International Magazine.

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

Benhur was also cited as the 2003 Most Outstanding City Mayor - Local Government Leadership Award by the Senate of the Philippines, 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.

		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.

He is also a Three-time Most Outstanding City Mayor and Public Servant (1999, 2001, 2003) Awarded by the National Consumers Union.

		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.

Mayor Benhur also received international recognitions during the Mayors Asia Pacific Environmental Summit held in Hawaii in 2003 and was cited for his outstanding campaign against illegal drugs given by the International Narcotic Enforcement Association in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

		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.

		2000 Special Awardee - Campaign against Illegal Drugs
		Given by the International Narcotic Enforcement Association in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

With his continuous effort as chief executive of Mandaluyong, the city was a recipient of the 1998 Local Government Unit of the Year awarded by then Pres. Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Apolinario Mabini awardee for his concern to the plight of people with disabilities, and Grandslam Winner Literacy Award and Most Outstanding Local Gov't. Unit in Metro Manila Department of Education - National Capital Region, in 2003.

		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 Ejercito Estrada 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 government unit with the best programs and projects for disabled persons Awarded by his Excellency President Joseph Ejercito Estrada April 16,1998, Heroes Hall, Malacanang.

Benhur is the second eldest among the five children of former COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr and Corazon de Castro. He is married to Carmelita Aguilar, with five children namely, twins Charisse Marie and Ciara Marie (deceased), Benjie, Charlene Marie and Maria Corazon.

Born on July 19, 1962, 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.