Jonathan Clement "JC" Abalos II (born on March 18, 1994) is a Filipino politician who is the party-list representative for 4Ps Party-list or Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (lit.'Strengthen and Grow the Filipino Livelihood'), [1] alongside Marcelino Libanan. He is the Assistant Minority Leader (2022-2025) of the House of Representatives of the Philippines.[2]
JC Abalos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 4Ps Party-list | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 Serving with Marcelino Libanan | |
| Assistant Minority Leader of the House of Representatives | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jonathan Clement Abalos II March 18, 1994 Mandaluyong City, Philippines |
| Political party | Independent 4Ps Party-list |
| Relations | Benjamin Abalos (grandfather) Benjamin Abalos, Jr. (uncle) |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Manila University (AB) |
Biography
editJC Abalos is the only son of former Mandaluyong City councilor, Jonathan 'Jon' Abalos and Judy. His paternal grandfather is Benjamin Abalos and his uncle is Benjamin Abalos, Jr.[3]
He finished his elementary education at La Salle Green Hills in 2008. He graduated high school at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2012. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree major in Interdisciplinary Studies with specializations in Communications and Philosophy from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2016.
He obtained a certificate in International Law from a Gender Perspective and International Human Rights Law: An Introduction from Utrecht University (Summer School Program). He also attended classes in Philosophy and Humanities at Sciences Po Paris (France) through the Junior Term Abroad program facilitated by the Ateneo de Manila University.
Personal life
editJC Abalos is a cancer survivor.[4] He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when he was only 23 years old. After multiple surgeries, he was declared fully recovered in 2019.
Career
editJC Abalos is a first-term (from 2022) party-list representative from the 4Ps Party-list. He is a member of the minority bloc and is tasked to be part of twenty-two (22) house committees.[5]
Political positions
editHe prioritizes legislative measures that aim to alleviate poverty in the Philippines (especially through the conditional cash transfer program),[6][7] bills that seek to improve electoral practice and institutions (such as the plan to declare election day as holiday)[8] and interventions that intend to improve the health services of the Philippine government (such as bills the seek to establish a National Cancer Center, Virology Institute, among others). [9]
Controversy
editJC Abalos is formerly the fifth nominee of 4Ps Party-list.[10] His election as the second nominee (and eventually second representative, together with fellow 4Ps Party-list representative and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan) of 4Ps Party-list came as the result of the withdrawal of his father, Jon Abalos (second nominee) in November 2021.[11]
In early 2024, he criticized the low budget for a cash transfer program, made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).[12]
References
edit- ^ https://econgress.gov.ph/all-representatives/?id=1&views=committees
- ^ https://www.rappler.com/philippines/leaders-house-representatives-19th-congress/
- ^ https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/19/solon-calls-b-day-celebrant-dilg-chief-abalos-his-tito-idol
- ^ https://radyopilipinas.ph/2023/10/4ps-party-list-representative-nanawagan-para-matutukan-ang-pagtugon-sa-thyroid-cancer/
- ^ https://econgress.gov.ph/all-representatives/?id=1&views=committees
- ^ https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/29/house-leader-seeks-higher-cash-grants-to-households-listed-under-4ps/
- ^ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1642953/solons-slam-dswd-move-to-delist-1-3-million-beneficiaries-of-4ps
- ^ https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/30/23/house-oks-bill-making-election-day-a-holiday
- ^ https://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=abalos
- ^ https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/29/2170734/election-watchdog-backs-call-nullify-4ps-party-lists-sec-registration
- ^ https://twitter.com/meltlopez/status/1458986021022957571
- ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (2024-05-21). "Party-list solon blames Imee over low 4Ps budget for educational grants". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2024-08-31.