Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. officially filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on Monday, October 7, before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). He is running under the administration’s senatorial slate led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During the ‘Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Convention on September 26 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Marcos introduced Abalos as part of his lineup, highlighting his previous service as the mayor of Mandaluyong and his role as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary.
Abalos, who also served as a representative for the Lone District of Mandaluyong, resigned as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair to lead Marcos’ successful 2022 presidential campaign. He is a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, currently chaired by Marcos.