Benjamin Abalos Jr. shows his certificate of candidacy for senator, which he filed with the Commission on Elections at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Monday, October 7, 2024. (Photo from INQUIRER.net / JOHN ERIC MENDOZA)
MANILA, Philippines — Notwithstanding the gloomy weather, the elderly supporters of Benhur Abalos waited outside the Manila Hotel to express support to the senatorial aspirant.
Abalos, who is included in the administration’s official Senate slate, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday morning.
As early as 8 a.m., amid the rains, Abalos’ supporters waited outside the venue, chanting the interior and local government secretary’s surname.
Among the supporters were elders Zennie Bibiano, Teresita Ramos and Dolly Mapaye.
Sixty-six year-old Zennie Bibiano was wearing a blue shirt with a print of Abalos’ face when she was interviewed by INQUIRER.net.
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Zennie Bibiano, elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos at the Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo from CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
Asked why she’s outside the Manila Hotel despite gloomy weather, she simply said “[Because] we love him.”
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“We know na trabaho siya. Hindi salita,” said Bibiano.
(We know that he works. He’s not all talk.)
In the same interview, she was asked what Abalos has done to make him qualify for such a high post in the government, to which she answered: “Marami. Mula pagka-mayor [ay] naging number one ang Mandaluyong.”
(He’s done many things. From being a mayor, he made Mandaluyong number one.)
Teresita Ramos, 73, meanwhile, said her entire family are Abalos loyalists.
Teresita Ramos, elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos at the Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo from CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
Ramos is certain that Abalos will be able to secure a spot in the Senate in the upcoming midterm polls.
“May mass-based siyang loyalists. Talagang kaalyado ni Marcos [at] lahat ng programa ay sinusuportahan,” she said.
(He has mass-based loyalists. He is really allied with Marcos [and] all programs are being supported.)
“Tahimik lang siya, pero maraming accomplishment – mula sa pagiging mayor [hanggang] sa [naging] Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary [ay] maganda ang performance. Hindi lang siya madada. Talagang magaling. Tahimik lang at saka humble,” she observed.
(He is quiet, but he has many accomplishments – from being mayor [to] [being] DILG secretary, he has a good performance. He is just not talkative. He is really good and humble.)
Seventy-two year old Dolly Mapaye, on the other hand, was asked what’s so special about Abalos, which makes him deserving of all the support he’s getting from his fans, especially the elderly.
Dolly Magpaye, elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos, at Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo by CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
“The family of Abalos is so thoughtful, mabait at mahal na mahal nya ang mga taga Mandaluyong. Lumaban siya ng [pagiging] senador para maipadama niya sa buong Pilipinas ang pagmamahal niya sa tao, lalo na sa mahihirap,” said Mapaye.
(The family of Abalos is so thoughtful, kind and he loves the people of Mandaluyong very much. He is vying to become a senator so that he can make the entire Philippines feel his love for people, especially the poor.)
It was like a movie scene when Abalos arrived at Manila Hotel past 8 a.m. on Monday.
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He was welcomed by a marching band as well as his supporters who chanted “Abalos, Abalos!” while the DILG chief was making his way to the COC filing area.