Mandaluyong Mayor "Benhur" Abalos backs VP bid of Sen. Bongbong Marcos

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. has endorsed the candidacy of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. for vice president in this year's national election.

Marcos was guest of honor and speaker at Mandaluyong City's "Handog Pasasalamat" over the weekend to recognize the achievements of the city's outstanding barangay officials, held at the city gymnasium.

Abalos cited the efforts of Marcos to champion the cause of local government units as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, particularly the recently-approved barangay benefits bill that the senator has authored and sponsored.

"Siguro kung sya'y mahalal hindi lamang iyan ang magagawa niya, marami pa," said Abalos. Most of all, Abalos said Marcos remained simple and humble.

"Kung nagtiwala kayo sa akin sa loob ng 20 taon, pagtiwalaan ninyo ako sa pagpili sa susunod na Vice President ng Pilipinas, walang iba kundi si Senator Bongbong Marcos," Abalos said, greeted by cheers of the barangay officials at the jampacked gym.

For his part, Marcos thanked Abalos and the city and barangay officials for their warm welcome as he also recognized the mayor's exemplary leadership and good governance that ushered progress in the city and earned for it the moniker "Tiger City".

According to Marcos he pushed for the approval of barangay benefits bill to recognize the dedication and sacrifices of barangay officials and workers who continue with their service despite the meager allowances they receive.

"Alam namin ang inyong sakripisyo," said Marcos as he stressed that no government program can ever hope to succeed in the grassroots level without the cooperation of barangay officials and workers.

The approved measure, awaiting the signature of the President to become a full-pledged law, provides a retirement pay of P100,000 for each qualified Barangay Chairman, P80,000 member of Sangguniang Barangay, and P50,000 each for the Barangay Treasurer and Secretary, Barangay Tanod, member of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, and Barangay Health and Day Care Workers.