Benjamin Benhur Abalos Jr., Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Benjamin Benhur Abalos Jr., Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the Philippines, is scheduled to meet with the Filipino community in Dubai on Sunday (September 8). Abalos' visit will feature a town hall meeting, which is by invitation only, according to the event organizers. The meeting is part of the DILG's commitment to the Philippine National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership, which aims to foster transparency, accountability, and engagement with civil society. During his trip, Abalos is expected to address key issues affecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and local governance concerns. The town hall meeting is also seen as an opportunity for the Filipino community in Dubai to voice their concerns and engage directly with the Philippine government. Abalos’ visit reinforces the DILG's goal of empowering local government units and civil society organizations to contribute to good local governance through a comprehensive five-year roadmap. Abalos' visit comes on the heels of a controversy involving a viral photo with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil. The photo, taken after Guo's return from Indonesia where she was apprehended, sparked criticism as it showed Guo seated between Abalos and Marbil, making peace signs and smiling. The image quickly drew backlash from netizens and lawmakers who questioned the appropriateness of the photo given Guo’s legal issues. In a press conference, Abalos clarified that the photo was taken for documentation purposes, and he was unaware of Guo’s actions at the time. "We had it documented to make things clear. I didn’t really know what she was doing. Of course, I was focused on the camera," he explained. Abalos added that Guo had requested to speak with him and General Marbil about death threats she had allegedly received. He assured her that the threats would be investigated and urged her to tell the truth. The controversy has not dampened Abalos' commitment to his duties as DILG Secretary. A seasoned politician, Abalos has long been involved in local governance, having served as mayor of Mandaluyong City for multiple terms and chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. His appointment to the DILG by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reflects his deep ties with the Marcos family, a connection further highlighted when First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos praised Abalos for his loyalty to the Marcoses during their challenging years. ICA/Expat Media
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