Benjamin Agarao Jr.

Benjamin Agarao Jr.
Agarao Jr. official portrait during the 18th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Laguna's 4th District
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byEdgar San Luis
Succeeded byJam Agarao
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byRodolfo San Luis
Succeeded byEdgar San Luis
Member of the
Laguna Provincial Board
from the 4th District
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2004
In office
June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
Personal details
Born (1957-10-01) October 1, 1957 (age 67)
Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines[1]
Political partyPFP[2] (2023–present)
Other political
affiliations
Spouse
Estelita Agarao
(m. 1981)
[1]
Children4 (including Benjo and Jam)
Parents
  • Benjamin Agarao Sr.[1] (father)
  • Nydia Cueto[1] (mother)
RelativesMa. Meg Agarao–Espiritu (sister)
OccupationPolitician, businessman

Benjamin Cueto "Benjie" Agarao Jr. (born October 1, 1957) is a Filipino politician and businessman who served as Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Laguna's 4th District from 2004 until 2007, and from 2013 until 2022.[3][4] He also served a board member of Laguna from the same district from 1992 to 1995 and from 2001 to 2004.

Political career

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Agarao served as the board member of Laguna on the 4th district from 1992 to 1995 and 2001 to 2004. He served as the congressman Laguna's 4th congressional district for 5 terms, from 2004 to 2007, and from 2013 to 2022, under the parties Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), and PDP-Laban.[3][4]

He ran for mayor of Santa Cruz, Laguna, with PDP-Laban, losing to the incumbent Egay San Luis.[5]

Agarao transferred from the party PDP-Laban to the party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).[6]

Controversies

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In May 2014, Agarao was involved in a controversy regarding a multi-billion-peso scam regarding the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), however, Agarao denied the alleged "accusation".[4][7]

In an election campaign for the 2016 elections, the Liberal Party of the Philippines held a rally, also celebrating the birthday of Agarao. The senator Francis Tolentino invited the dance group Play Girls to entertain the guests, the invitation caused a controversy about the Play Girls.[7]

Personal life

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Agarao was born on October 1, 1957, in Santa Cruz, Laguna,[5][1] he is married to Estelita Agarao, having 4 children with her. Including Benjo Agarao and Jam Agarao, Jam is the current congresswoman for Laguna's 4th congressional district.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Ang Kwento ng Batang Santa Cruz". Facebook. Zab Agarao. May 6, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Abalos, Gomez, 30 others move to Marcos' Partido Federal party". ABS-CBN News. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "House of Representatives House Members: Hon. Agarao, Benjamin C. Jr". House of Representatives. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Laguna congressman in LP twerk scandal was linked to PDAF scam". Rappler. October 2, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Local races". PHVOTE. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (November 12, 2023). "5 from PDP-Laban among 32 turncoats to Marcos party". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Lando, Roy (November 18, 2019). "Benjamin Agarao Jr. Biography - PeoPlaid Profile, Congressman". PeoPlaid. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Lando, Roy (March 25, 2023). "Maria Jamina Agarao Biography - PeoPlaid Profile". PeoPlaid. Retrieved June 11, 2024.