Former House Representative Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. (13th and 14th Congresses) was born in the outskirts of Sampaloc, Manila on July 15, 1951, the eldest of four sons of the late Rev. Ben O. Abante, Sr. and Priscilla Mirando. He has two younger brothers, Jose Hernes and Reuben, both Ministers of the Gospel.
Long a servant of God before becoming a public servant, Congressman-Bishop Abante grew up taking on odd-jobs such as shining shoes, selling newspapers and corsages and working on a construction site at a tender age to support his education. He also worked in an accounting firm as an auditor in 1975 and started on the same year, the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries in the historic town of Sta. Ana, Manila.
He took up Commerce and Theology, graduating in Theology with high honors. He also holds a Masters degree in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, a Masters Degree in Theology from Citadel Baptist College and a doctorate in Theology from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
He is the leader of independent, biblical Baptist Pastors who presently comprised the 6,000-membership strong of a national organization which he has founded in 1986 – the BIBLE BELIEVERS LEAGUE FOR MORALITY & DEMOCRACY (BIBLEMODE), spearheading the fight against moral evils that threaten their PRO-GOD, PRO-FAMILY and PRO-LIFE advocacy. He also heads the Abante International Ministries (AIM), the Grace and Truth Community International Foundation, Inc., and the Ben O. Abante Baptist Bible College.
A much-sought after speaker all over the world, Congressman-Bishop Abante has also authored books and manuals for church growth, personal evangelism and discipleship, cheerful giving and has published two volumes of his fiery privilege speeches in Congress.
DR. ABANTE AS AN ACCOMPLISHED STATESMAN AND PUBLIC SERVANT
Due to his sterling performance as Councilor of the 6th District of Manila in 1992, he holds the distinction of being voted throughout his 3-year term as “Most Outstanding Councilor.”
As a nationalist by heart, Dr. Abante sought to serve a greater number of his fellowmen. He ran and won a seat in Congress in May 2004. As Representative of the 6th District of Manila, Dr. Abante has also exemplified himself as a distinguished statesman, and as an Ambassador of God in the halls of Congress.
During his first term, he was voted as one of 2006’s Most Outstanding Congressmen because of his performance par excellence and became a member of 15 standing and special committees. Not usually done with first termers, during the 13th Congress he was appointed as Chairman of one of its most controversial committees, the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights. The 2nd vice chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations
For the second time, Rep. Abante was chosen as one of the 14th Congress’ Most Outstanding Congressmen for four (4) consecutive years (2006-2010), attesting to his highly-principled public service. With high regard to his exceptional performance, he held the following Committee Memberships:
- Chairman, Committee on Public Information
- Senior Vice Chairman, Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights
- 2nd Vice Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges
- Vice Chairman, Committee on Appropriations
- Vice Chairman, Special Committee on Metro Manila Development
- Member, Committee on Information & Communication Technology
- Member, Committee on Basic Education & Culture
- Member, Committee on Transportation
- Member, Committee on Good Government
- Member, Committee on Defense
- Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
On the grassroots level, his priority projects trickled down to each of the 139 barangays under his jurisdiction, the 6th District of Manila. His major undertakings focused on health, education, social services and infrastructure development and/or improvement. These have all been properly documented and accounted for in two (2) volumes of his annual “ULAT NG BAYAN” Accomplishment Report, manifesting his high sense of responsibility and love for the people of his district.
Through the funding allotted to his district, one will find as he goes around the district, numerous barangay and multi-purpose halls, two covered basketball courts and renovation of and additional buildings for health centers. He has also contributed to the construction of buildings of different schools in his district aptly named for him.
Some of his congressional funds were also distributed to ten government hospitals in Metro Manila where majority of his constituents benefited. His office was open for anyone who needed help and assistance. Through his office also, around 8,000 families were given Phil Health Insurance and around 5,000 high school and college students were given scholarship assistance, many of whom are now graduates. Medical programs were a regular routine for this indefatigable congressman. From him, a principle was established – a good and righteous public servant can do a lot and more for his country.
Congressman-Bishop Abante’s moral advocacy led him to vehemently oppose the RH Bill, Gay Rights Bill and other related bills considered immoral and against the grain to the Pro-God, Pro-Family and Pro-Life position. There is no question that men like him are needed by this nation as it has been declared by the Holy Writ, “Righteousness exalteth a nation.”
He is also a passionate advocate of human rights as attested by his being the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, sponsored the Compensation Act for Martial Law Victims which was approved in the bicameral conference but failed to pass into law. Moreover, he championed the fight against corruption and the cause of freedom for the common man by sponsoring the Freedom of Information Bill.