Former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos has been named new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In a text message, President Duterte's long-time aide Senator Bong Go confirmed on Sunday that Abalos was chosen to take over the position that was left vacant by the late Danilo Lim who died last week.
Go added that Abalos was expected to take his oath of office on Monday.
The former Mandaluyong mayor's father, Benjamin Sr., also served as MMDA chairman from 2001 to 2002. Experience in public service Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Abalos is qualified for the job given his wisdom and experience in public service.
Panelo said Abalos, former mayor and congressman of Mandaluyong City, has demonstrated an exemplary public service and would lead the MMDA to “greater heights.”
“We welcome the recent appointment of Benjamin ‘Benhur’ de Castro Abalos, Jr. as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” Panelo said.
“With the exemplary career of Chairman Abalos in public service, he brings with him the benefit of years of experience and wisdom to the bureaucracy. Definitely, he is qualified to succeed and capable to continue the good works of the late Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim in the said authority,” he added.
Panelo cited the track record of Abalos, who started his career as a successful lawyer, before joining the local government of Mandaluyong City as an elected councilor.
Given his “solid background” in law and an “untarnished reputation” as a public servant, he said Abalos earned the trust of the people and was elected as Mandaluyong City mayor for several terms.
“Apart from displaying his exemplary skill and knowledge as a local chief executive, Chairman Abalos also demonstrated his acumen in legislative work as a Representative of the Congressional District of Mandaluyong City,” he said.
MMDA welcomes appointment
The MMDA on Monday welcomed the appointment of Abalos as the new chairman of MMDA.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said he looks forward to working with Abalos whom he credited for the industrial and commercial development of Mandaluyong.
“The MMDA welcomes the appointment of former city mayor Benhur Abalos as our new chairman. We vow to support his leadership, plans, and programs in the pursuit of efficient and quality public service,” Garcia said in a statement Monday.
Abalos served as city mayor of Mandaluyong City for 15 years, first in 1998 to 2004, and again in 2007 to 2016.
As such, he was a member of the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA.
He also served as president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Cities of the Philippines from 2007 to 2010. (With a report from Jhon Aldrin Casinas)