Promoting the interest of the beneficiaries of the government’s flagship social protection program—the 4Ps (Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino) Party-list advocates more than just for the sector it represents but also for national issues, such as poverty alleviation, social welfare, and the empowerment of marginalized sectors.
Second nominee Jonathan Clement “JC” Abalos II sits down with Jon Santos to discuss his party-list’s platforms, advocacies, and achievements as members of the 19th Congress in “Know Your Candidates” over at People’s Television Network (PTV).
Challenges in 4Ps implementation
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is not just a social amelioration program that releases one-time “ayuda” for the poor, this project aims to eradicate extreme poverty in the country by providing cash assistance to address the short-term needs of the beneficiaries while investing in capacity-building.
Due to budget cuts in 2023, the program’s implementation experienced delays—but in 2024, Abalos said the House of Representatives held a public hearing with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and beneficiaries to restore the P13–P14 billion deficit of the project.
“We don’t want the same thing to happen this 2025 and the upcoming years… Ngayong 2025 nangyari ulit ‘yong tinatawag nating budget cut. Isa sa mga una nating gagawin ay i-rectify natin ‘yan para hindi umabot sa point na magre-retroactive tayo. At least on the spot hindi na mag-a-arise ‘yong ganitong problema,” the lawmaker said.
Track record
As a member of Congress, the 4Ps Party-list has authored and co-authored a total of 271 House Bills and filed 117 House resolutions on various issues and sectors. While some of these House bills may not become law, others reach the President for enactment.
Among the legislations the 4Ps Party-list proposed that became law is House Bill 8925 or the Philippine Islamic Burial Act. Signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 11, the new measure mandates the burial of Muslim cadavers within 24 hours from the time of death, in accordance with Islamic customs and religious rites.
4Ps Party-list also introduced several bills, such as the Election Day Holiday Act, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Act, as well as amendments to Republic Act No. 11310 or the 4Ps Act.
Leveraging family name in advancing advocacies
The younger Abalos, coming from a family of public servants, is the grandson of incumbent Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Santos Abalos Sr. and nephew of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
While his family name had helped him in advancing his advocacies, JC Abalos underscored that “leadership is based on competence, merit, and performance”—proven by his support for good governance, electoral reforms, social welfare, gender equality, and youth empowerment, among other relevant issues as a lawmaker.
“Pagdating sa political dynasties, kailangan [bumoto] tayo based on merit and performance. Wala naman sa apelyido ang batayan ng serbisyo,” the solon said.
This upcoming midterm election, People’s Television aims to help you decide whose names will you shade on the ballot by delving into the values, backgrounds, and agendas of the candidates.
Before choosing the country’s next leaders in the upcoming midterm elections, Filipinos must take time to scrutinize the values, backgrounds, and agendas of the candidates, as their votes will determine their future. As the saying goes, don’t be shy to ask, “Qualified ka ba?”
Get to know JC Abalos and 4Ps Party-list in the full episode of “Know Your Candidates”:
—bjlc/av/avds
