Ex-Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos appointed as new MMDA chief

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) -- Former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. will be sworn in as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Abalos confirmed this to CNN Philippines on Sunday. He said he will take his oath of office on Monday night at Malacañang, which will be followed by a Cabinet meeting.

He is taking over as the head of the MMDA after the death of ex-chief Danilo Lim, who passed away on January 5 at 65 years old, around a week after contracting COVID-19.

Abalos served as the local chief executive of Mandaluyong City from 1998 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2016. His father, Benjamin Abalos Sr., also served as chairperson of the MMDA during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.