Abalos files candidacy for senator
MANILA, Philippines — Benjamin Abalos Jr. formalized his Senate bid on Monday, filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) before the poll body at the Manila Hotel Tent City.
Based on the Supreme Court ruling, Abalos is deemed resigned as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government after he filed his candidacy for senator in the 2025 elections,
The Palace has not announced yet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s new DILG chief.
Abalos served as DILG secretary since 2022, but before that, he led the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in 2021 under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Abalos was also mayor of Mandaluyong City from 1998 to 2004 and then became the city’s congressman from 2004 to 2007.