Newly appointed Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. is qualified for the job given his wisdom and experience in public service, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said on Monday.
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Panelo said Abalos, former mayor and congressman of Mandaluyong City, has demonstrated an exemplary public service and would lead the MMDA to “greater heights.”
Abalos has been named as the new head of the MMDA, replacing the late chairman Danilo Lim. Lim, a retired military general and former customs deputy commissioner, passed away last week.
“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.