FORMER Interior Secretary and senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos Jr. has secured a spot in the Magic 12 of young voters, according to a recent election survey by the Centre for Student Initiatives (CSI).

Abalos garnered 26.92% of the vote in the online survey, conducted from February 25 to March 11, with 1,200 respondents from student organizations across the country.

CSI is an independent youth-led organization focused on research-driven solutions for education development and youth participation in governance.

Abalos has extensive experience in both local and national governance. As former mayor of Mandaluyong, he led the city’s rapid urban development, earning it the title of the Tiger City of the Philippines. He also championed housing projects, providing land titles to around 7,700 families. His Project TEACH, a program for children with disabilities, received international recognition through the United Nations Public Service Award.

As chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Abalos led Metro Manila’s pandemic response, including the Vax as One initiative, which streamlined vaccination efforts across the region and served as a model for others.

As Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, he continued advocating for good governance, disaster response modernization, and anti-drug campaigns through the BIDA Program, balancing law enforcement and rehabilitation.

If elected to the Senate, Abalos has pledged to push for reforms empowering local governments by amending the Local Government Code. He also advocates removing VAT on electricity to lower power rates, providing stronger support for farmers through tax cuts, crop insurance, free education for their children, and implementing gratuity pay for job order and contract service workers in both national and local governments.