Benny Abante
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|
Benny Abante | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Manila's 6th district | |
| Assumed office July 8, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Himself[a] |
| In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Sandy Ocampo |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Jimenez |
| Succeeded by | Sandy Ocampo |
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| In office December 7, 2020 – June 1, 2022 | |
| House Speaker | Lord Allan Velasco |
| House Minority Leader | |
| In office July 22, 2019 – October 16, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Danilo Suarez |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Stephen Paduano |
| Member of the Manila City Council from the 6th district | |
| In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bienvenido Mirando Abante Jr. July 15, 1951 Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | NUP (2011–2012, 2019–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Asenso Manileño (2019–present) Lakas (1994–2011) UNA (2012–2019) |
| Spouse |
Marie Paz Toledo (m. 1977) |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern University Citadel Baptist College (BA) Baptist Bible College (MA) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (MPA) |
| Occupation |
|
Bienvenido "Benny" Mirando Abante Jr. (born July 15, 1951) is a Filipino politician and Bible-Baptist pastor who is serving as the representative of Manila's sixth district from 2019 to present, a position he previously held from 2004 to 2010. He also served as a deputy speaker of the House from 2020 to 2022, minority leader of the House from 2019 to 2020, and as a member of the Manila City Council from 1992 to 1995.[1][2] He is also the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Ekklesia (formerly Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries) in Santa Ana, Manila.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Abante was born in Santa Ana, Manila, on July 15, 1951, as the eldest of four sons of Bienvenido "Ben" O. Abante Sr. and Priscilla Mirando. He has two younger brothers, both of whom grew up to be ministers.[4]
While growing up, Abante took odd jobs such as shining shoes, selling newspapers and corsages, and working on a construction site. He also worked as an auditor.[4] Abante earned his bachelor's degree from Far Eastern University in 1971.[citation needed] Later, he graduated with bachelor's and graduate degrees in theology at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and Baptist Bible College in Makati, respectively.[citation needed] He also holds a master's degree in Government Management from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.[citation needed]
Theological career
[edit]In 1975, he founded the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries in Santa Ana, Manila. He is also involved in the academia, having been named the president of Metropolitan Lighthouse Theological School and Institute in Quezon City and administrator of the Metropolitan International Christian Academy in Manila in 1985. He was conferred an honorary degree in theology by The Citadel Baptist College in 1985 and an honorary doctor of theology degree at Indianapolis Baptist College in 1987.[citation needed]
In 1986, he founded the Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE),[5] and also heads the Abante International Ministries (AIM), the Grace and Truth Community International Foundation, Inc., and the Ben O. Abante Baptist Bible College.[6]
Early political career
[edit]Abante served as a councilor of Manila from the 6th district from 1992 to 1995. In August 1993, he sponsored a proposed ordinance prohibiting the exhibition of films in Manila that either glorify criminals or feature excessive sex scenes, arguing that these types of films "destroy the moral integrity and character of a person."[7] He was recognized by the Manila City Hall Press Club as the Outstanding Councilor of Manila in 1994. After his term as councilor, he ran for vice mayor in 1995, with Mel Lopez as his running mate, but both lost.[citation needed]
He served as commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor from 1996 to 1998. He was also named special assistant to the national chairman of Lakas–NUCD in 2000.[citation needed]
House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]Abante ran for and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2004. Abante was reelected in 2007, but unsuccessfully defended his seat in 2010, losing to former representative Rosenda Ann "Sandy" Ocampo. He attempted a comeback to Congress in 2013 and 2016 but was unsuccessful, losing both to Ocampo. Abante was elected as Representative of Manila's 6th district in 2019, with the previous incumbent, Ocampo, ineligible for re-election. He ran against councilor Cassy Sison and newcomer Yvette Ocampo, Sandy's sister. He ran under the banner of Asenso Manileño with Isko Moreno running for mayor. He was re-elected in 2022.
Abante ran again for congressman in 2025,[8] but narrowly lost to councilor Joey Uy.[9] However, the COMELEC Second Division proclaimed him as the duly re-elected representative after Uy's candidacy was declared void due to his citizenship.[10] On June 30, 2025, COMELEC en banc ruled with finality declaring Uy's candidacy null and void and affirmed Abante's reelection.[11] Abante was formally proclaimed congressman on July 8.[12]
Tenure
[edit]He was subsequently named chairman of the Committee on Public Information. His major undertakings in his district focused on health, education, social services, and infrastructure development and/or improvement. Abante's committee also scrutinized the Right of Reply Bill that was criticized by the media organizations as a curtailment of the freedom of the press.[13] He also proposed an Anti-Sex Video Bill that imposes stiffer penalties on the people involved in the manufacture of sex videos.[14] He was one of the principal authors of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill during the 14th Congress. The FOI bill was defeated in Congress after its opponents questioned whether there was a quorum on the final session day.[15]
On July 10, 2020, he was one of the 11 representatives who voted to grant the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. He was one of the two Manila lawmakers to grant the franchise, along with Edward Maceda.[16]
In late 2024, Abante headed the Quad Committee, which launched inquiries on alleged extrajudicial killings and other irregularities during the war on drugs campaign under former president Rodrigo Duterte.[17][18] Alongside Santa Rosa Representative Danilo "Dan" Fernandez, he stepped down as the co-chairman of the committee in November 2024 after former Mandaluyong City Police Chief Hector Grijaldo accused them of pressuring him to admit the existence of the drug war reward system.[19]
But in February 2025 QuadCom hearings, he cursed "ah---namo" which means "your mother". His reason for this due to his anger at a content creator who accused him of being a protector of illegal drugs. His actions caught his committee co-members off-guard and Fernandez reminded him of his decorum.[20]
Political positions
[edit]LGBT issues
[edit]In 2010, Abante filed a bill that proposed the criminalization of conducting same sex unions, which he views as "highly immoral, scandalous, and detestable." The bill aims to penalize couples and the solemnizing officer by fine and imprisonment.[21]
He has also filed a bill to institutionalize the rights of heterosexual people, including guaranteeing their right to express opinions about LGBT issues according "to their religious beliefs and practices and to biblical principles and standards." Since there were efforts to introduce bills protecting the rights of LGBT people, Abante argued that in the spirit of "justice, equity, and fair play", a bill on heterosexuals, who he says are "actual and direct creations of God" is appropriate. He also believes that LGBT people who face discrimination have "to be what God created us to be".[22]
Abante has opposed the passage of legislation guaranteeing rights of members of the LGBT community, believing that such measures would eventually lead to the legalisation of same sex unions. He views LGBT rights as more of a "moral issue" than a "rights issue".[23] He opposed the SOGIE Equality Bill, saying the constitution already grants sufficient rights.[24]
Despite his stances, Abante says he does not discriminate against the LGBT community, noting that he has supporters who are LGBT.[24]
Pornography
[edit]Abante has aimed to legislate a measure banning pornography. His House Bill No. 3305 was passed by the House of Representatives in 2008, which would prohibit the production of pornographic videos regardless of whether the subjects are adults or children; consensual or non-consensual.[25][26]
Capital punishment
[edit]Abante supports capital punishment for crimes consisting of the following offenses: drug trafficking, massacre, child rape, and rape-slay. He had supported president Rodrigo Duterte's proposal to restore the death penalty for drug-related and heinous crimes.[27]
Personal life
[edit]Abante married Marie Paz Toledo in 1977 and has three children. His daughter Priscilla Marie is a lawyer and served as a councilor of Manila from the 6th district from 2013 to 2022 and spokesperson of the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 2025.[28][29] His son, Benny Fog III is an incumbent councilor from the same district since 2022.[citation needed]
Electoral performance
[edit]2025
[edit]| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joey Uy[b] | Aksyon Demokratiko | 64,746 | 50.54 | |
| Benny Abante | National Unity Party | 63,358 | 49.46 | |
| Total | 128,104 | 100.00 | ||
| National Unity Party hold | ||||
- ^ Previous term expired; Abante was seated late as the ruling on the disqualification case of Joey Uy, who defeated him in the 2025 election, remained contested.
- ^ The Commission on Elections ruled that Uy's certificate of candidacy is void ab initio; declared Benny Abante as the duly elected representative of the district.
2022
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUP | Benny Abante | 95,431 | 79.37 | |
| PRP | Romualdo Billanes | 22,221 | 18.48 | |
| Independent | Antonio Sityar II | 2,582 | 2.15 | |
| Total votes | 120,234 | 100.00 | ||
| NUP hold | ||||
2019
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asenso | Benny Abante | 49,795 | 46.21 | |||
| Bagumbayan | Patricia Yvette Ocampo | 33,731 | 31.30 | |||
| PMP | Cassy Sison | 24,239 | 22.49 | |||
| Total votes | 107,765 | 100.00 | ||||
| Asenso gain from PDP–Laban | ||||||
2016
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Sandy Ocampo | 56,844 | 53.41 | ||
| Asenso | Benny Abante | 48,260 | 45.35 | ||
| Independent | Richard Bautista | 695 | 0.65 | ||
| Independent | Jose Castillo | 623 | 0.59 | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 6,774 | ||||
| Total votes | 113,196 | ||||
| Liberal hold | |||||
2013
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Sandy Ocampo | 43,667 | 51.45 | |
| UNA | Benny Abante | 40,571 | 47.80 | |
| Independent | Richard Bautista | 407 | 0.48 | |
| Independent | Francisco Candaza | 225 | 0.27 | |
| Total votes | 84,870 | 100.00 | ||
| Liberal hold | ||||
2010
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Sandy Ocampo | 39,985 | 38.63 | |||
| Lakas–Kampi | Benny Abante | 38,113 | 36.82 | |||
| Nacionalista | Danilo Lacuna | 24,866 | 24.03 | |||
| Independent | Ramon Villanueva | 204 | 0.20 | |||
| Independent | Joven Yuson | 160 | 0.16 | |||
| PGRP | Marlo Gerardo Artacho | 96 | 0.09 | |||
| Bigkis | Ronaldo Tibig | 76 | 0.07 | |||
| Valid ballots | 103,500 | 95.70 | ||||
| Invalid or blank votes | 4,654 | 4.30 | ||||
| Total votes | 108,154 | 100.00 | ||||
| Liberal gain from Lakas–Kampi | ||||||
2004
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakas | Benny Abante | 41,241 | 55.44 | |
| Liberal | Sandy Ocampo | 33,146 | 44.56 | |
| KNP | Lou Veloso | |||
| Independent | Julio Logarta Jr. | |||
| Independent | Caridad Lao | |||
| Independent | Romeo Nuñez | |||
| Independent | Emmanuel Sunga | |||
| Independent | Oswaldo Galla | |||
| Total votes | 74,387 | 100.00 | ||
| Lakas hold | ||||
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Cruz, RG (December 7, 2020). "More Velasco allies named House deputy speakers". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (October 16, 2020). "House Minority Leader Abante Steps Down, Joins Velasco-Led Majority". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ "Dr. Benny M. Abante, Jr". MBBE.org. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "A Short Biographical Sketch Of The Honorable Congressman Benny M. Abante, Jr., Th. D." Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church & Ministries. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Agron, Edmon (July 3, 2018). "Baptist pastor explains Duterte's "stupid god" statement". eVolved. worldngayon.com. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ "The Clarion Call". BurningBush Web. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
- ^ Macapagal, Tony (August 11, 1993). "Manila may soon prohibit 'bad' movies". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 16.
The sixth district alderman [Abante] said these films 'will have a lasting negative effect on the youth and can cause grave and irreparable damage to the image, character and culture of both the city [Manila] and the Filipino nation.'
- ^ de Leon, Dwight (February 26, 2025). "Test of popularity: Who are the quad committee members with opponents in 2025?". Rappler. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Cruz, James Patrick (May 15, 2025). "Sara's revenge tour in Manila ends with 2 survivors, 1 casualty". Rappler. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ Sampang, Dianne (June 19, 2025). "Comelec division declares Abante winner of Manila's 6th district". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ Sampang, Dianne (July 8, 2025). "Comelec: Abante's win in House race final". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ Patinio, Ferdinand (July 8, 2025). "Comelec proclaims Abante as Manila 6th District Rep". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (March 5, 2009). "House begins discussing right of reply bill". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on July 25, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ^ Mabutas, Gabriel (June 13, 2009). "Bill vs sex videos pushed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 15, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Mangahas, Malou (June 7, 2010). "Secrets of Nograles House could be exposed by FOI". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ^ Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Locus, Sundy (September 23, 2024). "Rep. Abante: House QuadCom to continue drug war probe during recess". GMA News. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (August 19, 2024). "Drug war probe repetitive? Abante says new information coming out". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Francisco, Abner (November 7, 2024). "Representatives Fernandez and Abante step down as Quad Comm chairs". Brigada News. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Quismorio, Ellson (February 4, 2025). "Pastor-solon Abante nearly curses on camera in House probe on vloggers, trolls". Manila Bulletin.
- ^ Tabingco, Peter (February 24, 2010). "Same-sex marriage criminalized under bill". Business Insight Malaya. Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
- ^ "Pastor-solon Abante files pro-heterosexual rights bill, but downplays it later". Manila Bulletin. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ "Pro-gay bill not a rights issue - House HR chair". GMA News. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Gregorio, Xave (June 24, 2019). "House minority leader affirms stance vs anti-discrimination bill". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Diaz, Jess (June 2, 2009). "Blame Revilla, not House, for cybersex proliferation - lawmaker". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Diaz, Jess. "House passes anti-pornography measure". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Rita, Joviland (July 29, 2020). "'Pro-life' Abante backs Duterte's call for death penalty vs. heinous crimes". GMA News. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Gutierrez, Dennis (February 16, 2022). "'Team Isko' taps 2 Manila councilors as new campaign spokespersons". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Mangaluz, Jean (May 27, 2025). "Princess Abante named first-ever House spokesperson". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Clergy from Manila
- Far Eastern University alumni
- Filipino Baptists
- Lakas–CMD (1991) politicians
- Lakas–CMD politicians
- Asenso Manileño politicians
- Manila City Council members
- Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Manila
- Minority leaders of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
- National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila alumni
- People from Santa Mesa
- Politicians from Manila
- United Nationalist Alliance politicians