Leni Robredo urges Naga folk to support Senate bid of Benhur Abalos

NAGA CITY — Former Vice President Leni Robredo has endorsed the senatorial bid of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.,  whom she praised for his quiet but consistent assistance to Naga City over the years.

“He has been our friend for a long time, served as mayor of Mandaluyong for many years, became DILG Secretary—a very good one—and also served as MMDA Chairman. Now he’s running for senator,” Robredo said in Bicolano.

“Nung bagyong Kristine pabalik-balik siyang nagatabang, ano lang pati, silencio lang na nagtatabang,” the former Vice President said.

(We will help him because he has long been helping us here in Naga, especially during Typhoon Kristine. He came here several times to help. He did it quietly, but he always helped.)

“Tatabangan naman ini pagka sa kanya. Bobotohan natin siya pagka-senador,” she said.

(Let’s support him in his candidacy. We will vote for him as senator.)

“That’s why if he becomes senator, he will surely help us, so we should also help him,” Robredo added.

Robredo, who is now running for mayor of Naga, made the endorsement on April 23—her birthday—when Abalos paid her a visit in the city.

Abalos and the former Vice President’s late husband, Jesse Robredo—a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee—both served as mayor and later as Interior and Local Government secretary.

Abalos’ repeated efforts in Naga during past calamities were never highly publicized, but Robredo made it clear that his commitment was genuine and lasting.

“Tahimik lang po yung pagpunta nya dito pero lagi siyang tumutulong,” Robredo said in Bicolano.

Last month, Robredo visited the Mandaluyong Cemetery of Life, a public project conceptualized and built under Abalos’ leadership.

Deeply impressed, Robredo said she hopes to replicate the dignified, community-centered approach in Naga City.

In response, Abalos expressed deep gratitude for Robredo’s support and vowed to carry the hopes of Bicolanos to the Senate.

He outlined his track record in public service: transforming Mandaluyong into an “Economic Tiger City,” initiating Project TEACH for children with disabilities—a program recognized by the United Nations—leading in-city housing projects for the poor, and constructing the dignified modern cemetery that moved Robredo.

As MMDA chairman during the COVID-19 pandemic, Abalos helped coordinate unified health protocols across Metro Manila.

Later, as DILG secretary, he led reforms in the police force and oversaw the arrest of high-profile fugitives.

He also laid out his legislative agenda before Nagueños: abolishing VAT on electricity, amending the Rice Tariffication Law to protect and empower Filipino farmers, opposing the Supreme Court ruling that allows commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters, amending the Local Government Code of 1991, among others.

Abalos concluded with a reminder to voters: “Suriin nating mabuti ang ating mga kandidato. Sa kanilang mga kamay nakasalalay ang ating bansa sa susunod na anim na taon. Suriin, tingnan nating mabuti ang kanilang mga accomplishments at mga plataporma.”