Benny Abante

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{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Benny Abante

| image = Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. (19th Congress).jpg

| office = Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

| 1namedata = Lord Allan Velasco

| 1blankname = {{nowrap|House Speaker}}

| term_start = December 7, 2020

| term_end = June 1, 2022

| office2 = House Minority Leader

| term_start2 = July 22, 2019

| term_end2 = October 16, 2020

| predecessor2 = Danilo Suarez

| successor2 = Joseph Stephen Paduano

| office3 = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Manila's 6th district

| term_start3 = June 30, 2019

| term_end3 =

| predecessor3 = Sandy Ocampo

| successor3 =

| term_start4 = June 30, 2004

| term_end4 = June 30, 2010

| predecessor4 = Mark Jimenez
{{small|(Mario B. Crespo)}}

| successor4 = Sandy Ocampo

| office5 = Member of the Manila City Council from the 6th district

| term_start5 = June 30, 1992

| term_end5 = June 30, 1995

| birth_name = Bienvenido Mirando Abante Jr.

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|7|15}}

| birth_place = Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = NUP (2011–2012, 2019–present)

| otherparty = Asenso Manileño (2019–present)
Lakas–CMD (1994–2011)
UNA (2012–2019)

| alma_mater = Far Eastern University
Citadel Baptist College (BA)
Baptist Bible College (MA)
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (MPA)

| spouse = {{marriage|Marie Paz Toledo|1977}}

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| occupation = Politician, Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Bible Baptist Ekklesia

}}

Bienvenido "Benny" Mirando Abante Jr. (born July 15, 1951) is a Filipino politician and Bible-Baptist pastor who has been serving as the representative of Manila's 6th district since 2019, 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 councilor of Manila's 6th district from 1992 to 1995.{{Cite web|first=RG|last=Cruz|date=December 7, 2020|title=More Velasco allies named House deputy speakers|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/07/20/more-velasco-allies-named-house-deputy-speakers|access-date=December 8, 2020|work=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Cepeda|first=Mara|date=October 16, 2020|title=House Minority Leader Abante Steps Down, Joins Velasco-Led Majority|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-minority-leader-abante-steps-down-joins-velasco-majority|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020194444/https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-minority-leader-abante-steps-down-joins-velasco-majority |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |access-date=October 17, 2020|work=Rappler}} He is also the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Ekklesia (formerly Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries) in Santa Ana, Manila.{{cite web|url=https://mbbe.org/about-us/senior-pastor/|title=Dr. Benny M. Abante, Jr.|website=MBBE.org|accessdate=September 30, 2023}}

Early life and education

Abante was born in Santa Ana, Manila, on July 15, 1951, the eldest of four sons of Rev. Bienvenido "Ben" O. Abante Sr. and Priscilla Mirando. He has two younger brothers, both of whom grew up to be ministers.{{cite web|title=A Short Biographical Sketch Of The Honorable Congressman Benny M. Abante, Jr., Th. D.|url=http://www.mbbcintl.com/bma.html|publisher=Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church & Ministries|access-date=November 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326043515/http://www.mbbcintl.com/bma.html|archive-date=March 26, 2010}}

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. He earned his bachelor's degree from Far Eastern University in 1971. 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. He also holds a master's degree in Government Management from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

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 Citadel Baptist College in 1985 and honorary doctor of Theology degree at Indianapolis Baptist College in 1987.

In 1986, he founded the Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE),{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldngayon.com/2018/07/baptist-pastor-explains-dutertes-stupid-god-statement/|title=Baptist pastor explains Duterte's "stupid god" statement|last=Agron|first=Edmon|date= July 3, 2018|website=eVolved|publisher=worldngayon.com|access-date=July 15, 2018}} and also heads the Abante International Ministries (AIM), the Grace and Truth Community International Foundation, Inc., and the Ben O. Abante Baptist Bible Coll

He 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."{{cite news|last=Macapagal|first=Tony|title=Manila may soon prohibit 'bad' movies|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp.|date=August 11, 1993|page=16|quote=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.'}} 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.

He served as commissioner of the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor from 1996 to 1998. He was also named special assistant to the national chairman of Lakas–NUCD in 2000.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

=House of Representatives=

He ran for and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2004. 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.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090305-192549/House-begins-discussing-right-of-reply-bill |title=House begins discussing right of reply bill |first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |work=INQUIRER.net |date=March 5, 2009 |accessdate=December 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725112713/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090305-192549/House-begins-discussing-right-of-reply-bill |archivedate=July 25, 2009 }} He also proposed an Anti-Sex Video Bill that imposes stiffer penalties on the people involved in the manufacture of sex videos.{{cite news |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/206838/bill-vs-sex-videos-pushed |title=Bill vs sex videos pushed |first=Gabriel |last=Mabutas |work=Manila Bulletin |date=June 13, 2009 |accessdate=December 15, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/192814/news/nation/secrets-of-nograles-house-could-be-exposed-by-foi |title=Secrets of Nograles House could be exposed by FOI |first=Malou |last=Mangahas |work=GMA News Online |date=June 7, 2010 |accessdate=December 15, 2011}} 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 reelection. 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.

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.{{cite news|title=List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal|work=Philstar.com|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/10/2027049/list-lawmakers-who-voted-and-against-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal|date=July 10, 2020|accessdate=July 22, 2020|last=Perez-Rubio|first=Bella}} He was re-elected in 2022.

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.{{cite news|last=Locus|first=Sundy|title=Rep. Abante: House QuadCom to continue drug war probe during recess|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/921356/rep-abante-house-quadcom-to-continue-drug-war-probe-during-recess/story/|access-date=October 28, 2024|work=GMA News|date=September 23, 2024|language=en}}{{cite news|last=Lalu|first=Gabriel Pabico|title=Drug war probe repetitive? Abante says new information coming out|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1974372/drug-war-probe-repetitive-abante-says-new-details-coming-out|access-date=October 28, 2024|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=August 19, 2024|language=en}} Alongside Santa Rosa Representative Danilo 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.brigadanews.ph/representatives-fernandez-and-abante-step-down-as-quad-comm-chairs/|title=Representatives Fernandez and Abante step down as Quad Comm chairs|first=Abner|last=Francisco|date=November 7, 2024|accessdate=November 7, 2024|work=Brigada News}}

Abante ran again for congressman in 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/list-quad-committee-lawmakers-running-agasint-opponents-2025-midterms/ |title=Test of popularity: Who are the quad committee members with opponents in 2025? |last=de Leon |first=Dwight |date=February 26, 2025 |accessdate=February 26, 2025 |work=Rappler}}

=Positions=

==LGBT issues==

Abante has made some legislative proposals that affected the LGBT community. In 2010, he filed a bill that proposed the criminalization of conducting same sex unions, which he views "highly immoral, scandalous and detestable." The bill aims to penalize couples and the solemnizing officer by fine and imprisonment.{{Cite web|last1=Tabingco |first1=Peter |title=Same-sex marriage criminalized under bill |url=http://www.malaya.com.ph/12092009/news6.html |publisher=Business Insight Malaya |access-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224130149/http://www.malaya.com.ph/12092009/news6.html |archive-date=24 February 2010 |date=24 February 2010}}

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 ought "to be what God created us to be".{{cite news |title=Pastor-solon Abante files pro-heterosexual rights bill, but downplays it later |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/09/pastor-solon-abante-files-pro-heterosexual-rights-bill-but-downplays-it-later/ |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=9 November 2022}}

Abante has opposed the passage of a legislation guaranteeing rights of members of the LGBT community, believing that such measure would eventually lead to the legalization of same sex unions. He views LGBT rights as more of a "moral issue" rather than a "rights issue".{{cite news |title=Pro-gay bill not a rights issue - House HR chair |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/21146/pro-gay-bill-not-a-rights-issue-house-hr-chair/story/ |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=GMA News |language=en}} He opposed the SOGIE Equality Bill, saying the constitution grants already sufficient rights.{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title=House minority leader affirms stance vs anti-discrimination bill |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/7/24/Benny-Abante-SOGIE-Equality-Bill.html |access-date=12 November 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |date=24 June 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112012459/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/7/24/Benny-Abante-SOGIE-Equality-Bill.html |url-status=dead }}

Despite his stances, Abante says he does not discriminate against the LGBT community, noting that he has supporters who are LGBT.

==Pornography==

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 if the subjects are adults or children; consensual or non-consensual.{{cite news|last=Diaz|first=Jess|title=Blame Revilla, not House, for cybersex proliferation - lawmaker |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2009/06/01/473033/blame-revilla-not-house-cybersex-proliferation-lawmaker|access-date=November 12, 2022|work=The Philippine Star|date=June 2, 2009}}{{cite news|last=Diaz|first=Jess|title=House passes anti-pornography measure|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2009/06/02/473358/house-passes-anti-pornography-measure|access-date=November 12, 2022|work=The Philippine Star}}

==Capital punishment==

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 death penalty for drug-related and heinous crimes.{{cite news|last=Rita|first=Joviland|title='Pro-life' Abante backs Duterte's call for death penalty vs. heinous crimes|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/749012/pro-life-abante-backs-duterte-s-call-for-death-penalty-vs-heinous-crimes/story/|access-date=October 28, 2024|work=GMA News|date=July 29, 2020|language=en}}

Personal life

Abante married Marie Paz Toledo in 1977, and has three children. His daughter Priscilla Marie is a lawyer and had served as a councilor of Manila from the 6th district from 2013 to 2022.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1555540/team-isko-taps-2-manila-councilors-as-new-campaign-spokespersons|title='Team Isko' taps 2 Manila councilors as new campaign spokespersons|first=Dennis|last=Gutierrez|accessdate=August 8, 2022|date=February 16, 2022|website=INQUIRER.net}} His son Benny Fog III is an incumbent councilor from the same district since 2022.