Comelec’s Benjamin Abalos: A golf caddy rises from poverty to power

Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. was not feeling well. His cure: hot soup. But not just any soup from any kitchen. It had to be from one of the four international restaurants at the posh, five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. His craving for that soup is what he blames for the “accidental" meeting with the parents of senatorial candidate Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri who was then trailing behind opposition candidate Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel, Jr. The man who supported himself to school by being a caddy at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club has come a long way, indeed. For one, he has developed a taste for expensive food and places. And, based on businessman Jose ‘Joey’ de Venecia III’s testimony at the Senate this morning, the Comelec chief is not lacking in awareness of how powerful his post is: in a December 27, 2006 meeting with ZTE officials for the National Broadband Network (NBN), Abalos allegedly referred to himself as the “most powerful man in the Philippines starting January 15, 2007." That day marked the beginning of the period of filing of certificates of candidacy for senators and party-list wannabes. The line alluding to Abalos’s perceived power is made more ugly by the reason it was cited, as De Venecia claimed: Abalos was allegedly demanding the release of payoffs stemming from the ZTE deal. Abalos comes from a background of poverty. Born on September 21, 1935, he worked as janitor, factory worker and caddy as a young man. He finished his law degree at the Manuel L. Quezon University in 1957. In 1964, President Arroyo’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, appointed Abalos Manila fiscal and later, lone municipal judge of Pasig. The first Edsa revolution led him to his first political post as mayor of Mandaluyong, to which he was re-elected for three consecutive terms. In 2001, he was appointed chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority. A July 22, 2002 story of the PCIJ by Malou Mangahas reveals how the newly appointed Comelec chair was able to “establish a close friendship with First Gentleman Jose Miguel ‘Mike’ Arroyo, as well as with siblings of the president herself." It also outlines some ethical boundaries that have become blurred for Abalos. And while for some, a youth spent on back-breaking work may make for penny-pinching grown-ups, it is not so for Abalos. Among his first acts as chair in 2002 was to give a one-month incentive pay to all Comelec employees, cars for commissioners, and holding meetings in posh restaurants. The young De Venecia’s Senate testimony and previous media statements on Abalos’s alleged involvement on the ZTE deal consistently paints a picture of a 71-year old man who is unable to control his temper. The meetings De Venecia spoke of were replete with Abalos banging his fist on tables, using profanities, and raising his voice. A former Comelec officer relates he witnessed the Comelec chairman in uncontrollable rage “many times." “I once saw him, nagwawala (throwing a fit). Once, he was yelling at the top of his voice. I wondered at times how his body was able to handle all the rage he often showed," said the source. Another source, an election lawyer, admits he has seen Abalos on some occasions “pointing his finger and yelling at someone, even during Comelec hearings." Abalos denies allegations that he had threatened to kill De Venecia and Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc, who has written extensively about the ZTE deal. Some lawmakers now plan to use de Venecia’s testimony in working for Abalos’s impeachment. If that pushes through, Abalos cannot afford to lose his cool, else he faces the prospect of ending his four-decade government tenure in ignominy. And with the election season now over, even one in his position may not feel as powerful. - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism