Former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos' Senate bid in 2025 just received a major boost.

This, after the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) threw its full support behind Abalos' upcoming candidacy as part of the administration-backed Alyansa Pleague'sara sa Bagong Pilipinas. 

In a recent resolution, the PCL endorsed Abalos’ candidacy during the  National Board Meeting at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. 

The resolution expressed the unified support of the league for the senatorial candidacy of Abalos, and cited that the former Mandaluyong City may had “consistently placed an indelible mark in the country’s development during the current administration".

Abalos expressed appreciation to the PCL: “I thank every member of our Philippine Councilors League  I am honored and rest assured that your endorsement will not be wasted. Gagawin natin itong inspirasyon para palaging magsilbi nang tama at tapat tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas."

(We will use this as an inspiration so we may always properly serve the people toward a New Philippines.)

Abalos was also hailed for "advocating for national development and a sustained maintenance of peace and order across the Philippine jurisdiction and beyond".

NB Resolution No. 25 S-2024 cited Abalos’ vast experience as a public servant. 

He served as Mandaluyong mayor from 1998 to 2004 and 2007 to 2016, as well as a one-term congressman of the same city from 2004 to 2007. 

Also cited in the resolution were numerous awards and citations he received, including the Project T.E.A.C.H. and his Garden of Life Park that received a Gawad Galing Pook Award. Project T.E.A.C.H catered to the needs of children with handicap and was recognized by the United Nations in 2015.

“On a larger scale of development, Abalos’s brand of leadership would be truly beneficial across the country and place the Filipinos at the forefront of progress and development across the globe,” the resolution stated.

PCL emphasized how Abalos served as a prime example of the trademark public servant espoused by the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas.

The league recognized Abalos’s exceptional leadership as the Metro Manila Councilors League’s executive vice president during his term as Mandaluyong councilor, and eventually the president of the League of Cities in the Philippines and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

The resolution also acknowledged Abalos’s leadership as DILG secretary that led to the arrest of high-profile individuals, including ex-Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.