Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr.

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT OF 6TH DISTRICT OF MANILA

Representative Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. was born in the outskirts of Sampaloc, Manila, on July 15, 1951, the eldest of four sons of the late Rev. Ben O. Abante, Sr.. and Priscilla Mirando. He has 2 younger brothers, Jose Hernes and Reuben, both Ministers of the Gospel. Bp. Reuben is also the Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Values Formation directly under the Office of the President.

Congressman Abante grew up taking on odd-jobs such as shining shoes, selling newspapers and corsages and working on a construction site at a tender age to support himself. A market vendor before becoming a fulltime pastor, he also worked in an accounting firm as an auditor. In 1975, he started the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church in the historic town of Sta. Ana.

He took up Commerce and Theology, graduating in Theology with high honors. He also holds a Masters degree in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and a doctorate in Theology from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

He is the leader of independent, biblical Baptist Pastors who presently comprised the 6,000-membership strong of a national organization which he has founded in 1986 - the BIBLE BELIEVERS LEAGUE OF MORALITY & DEMOCRACY (BIBLEMODE), spearheading their sometimes uphill battle against moral evils that threaten their PRO-GOD, PRO-FAMILY and PRO-LIFE advocacy. He also heads the Abante International Ministries (AIM), the Lifesavers Orphanage, the Baptist International Light-house Relief and Rescue Missions (BAILER), and is the Director of World Hope Asia.

A much-sought after speaker in some of the largest Baptist churches in America, Rep. Abante has also authored books and manuals for church growth, personal evangelism, cheerful giving and has published a compilation of his privilege speeches in Congress.

Due to his sterling performance as Councilor of the 6^th District of Manila, he holds the distinction of being voted throughout his 3-year term as “Most Outstanding Councilor.” He is a moral crusader, a public servant, a nationalist, a person of the masses, and a devoted servant of God.

With fervent love for his country, Dr. Abante sought to serve the greater number of his fellowmen. He ran and won a seat in Congress in May 2004. As Representative of the 6^th District of Manila, Dr. Benny Abante wants to serve his beloved nation not only as a distinguished statesman, but also as an Ambassador of God in the halls of Congress.

During his first term, he was voted as one of 2006’s Most Outstanding Congressmen because of his performance par excellence: a member of 15 standing and special committees; recently appointed as Chairman of the Committee on Public Information, the 2^nd vice chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. Not usually done with first termers, during the 13^th Congress he was appointed as Chairman of one of its most controversial committees, the Committee on Human Rights.

For the second time, Rep. Abante was chosen as one of the 14^th Congress’ Most Outstanding Congressmen, attesting to his highly-principled public service. With high regard to his exceptional performance, he presently holds the following Committee Memberships:

· Chairman, Committee on Public Information

· Senior Vice Chairman, Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights

· 2^nd Vice Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges

· Vice Chairman, Committee on Appropriations

· Vice Chairman, Special Committee on Metro Manila Development

· Member, Committee on Information & Communication Technology

· Member, Committee on Basic Education & Culture

· Member, Committee on Transportation

· Member, Committee on Good Government

· Member, Committee on Defense

· Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs

On the grassroots level, his priority projects trickle down to each of the 139 barangays under his jurisdiction, the 6^th District of Manila. His major undertakings focus on health, education, social services and infrastructure development and/or improvement. These have all been properly documented and accounted for in two (2) volumes of his annual “ULAT NG BAYAN” Accomplishment Report, manifesting his high sense of responsibility and love for the people of his district.

Some of his landmarks bills filed in Congress are:

- HB03305-AN ACT PROHIBITING AND PENALIZING THE PRODUCTION, PRINTING, PUBLICATION, IMPORTATION, SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND EXHIBITION OF OBSCENE AND PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS, AND THE EXHIBITION OF LIVE SEXUAL ACTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ART. 201 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED (Approved on Third Reading)

- HB00710–AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4670, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS', AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Committee Level)

- HB03835 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Committee Level)

- HB00706 - AN ACT CREATING A BODY CORPORATE TO BE KNOWN AS THE DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL HOSPITAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (Committee Level)

- HB02551 - AN ACT FURTHER INCREASING THE EXCISE TAX RATES IMPOSED ON ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 141, 142, 143, 144, 145 AND 288 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9334 (Committee Level)

Co-Authored -

- R. A. No. 9502 – An Act Providing for Cheaper and Quality Medicines, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code, Republic Act No. 6675 or the Generics Act of 1988, and... Approved by the President on June 6, 2008

- R. A. No. 9504 – An ACT Amending Sections 22, 24, 34, 35, 51 and 79 of Republic Act No. 8424, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1987. Approved by the President on June 17, 2008. (INCREASING the tax exemption privileges of individual taxpayers to P200,000 for married couples with four dependent children, ANd a uniform personal tax exemption of P50,000 for taxpayers who are single, married, or head of the family)

Who would even imagine that a former shoeshine boy, flower vendor, and construction worker that paid his way to school would now be regarded as one of the most influential men in our time and in our land?

With his consuming passion in life to serve his God and his country with all integrity and honesty, Rep. Abante continues to stand and fight for what is good, and right and true, despite the odds and the hazards that go with the job.