Benjamin Agarao Jr. is a Filipino politician. He served as congressman of the fourth legislative district of Laguna Province.
In the May 13, 2019 election, Benjie Agarao Jr. ran for congressman under the ruling PDP-Laban Party and defeated Antonio “Tony” Carolino of the Nacionalista Party (NP). In 2022, due to term limit, he ran for mayor of the capital town of Sta. Cruz but he lost to incumbent mayor Egay San Luis.
The fourth legislative district of Laguna is composed of the municipalities of Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan, Luisiana, Lumban, Mabitac, Magdalena, Majayjay, Paete, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pangil, Pila, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, and Siniloan.
Personal Information
Complete Name –> Benjamin C. Agarao, Jr.
Nickname –> Benjie
Birth Date –> (Age 62)
Birth Place –> Laguna, Philippines
Political Career / Work Experiences
2019-2020 – Member, Commission on Appointments
2004-2007, 2013-2022 – Congressman
Bills / Laws / Resolutions
House Bill 5712 – AN ACT MODIFYING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AND AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF ADDITIONAL BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
* This bill became Republic Act (RA) 11466 enacted on 2020-01-08.
Controversies
In the election campaign leading to the May 9, 2016 general elections, the ruling Liberal Party held a local convention in Sta. Cruz, Laguna coinciding with the 58th birthday party of congressman Benjamin Agarao. To entertain the guests, then senatorial hopeful and now Senator Francis Tolentino allegedly invited the girl group Play Girls to perform dance numbers. The videos of their performances were uploaded on social media and created a big fuzz because many netizens criticized them as lewd. This caused the Liberal Party to drop Francis Tolentino from their roster of senate candidates although he disowned any involvement.
In May 2014, Agarao was among the congressmen implicated by Janet Lim-Napoles in the multi-billion-peso scam involving lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel. However, Agarao vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
RELATED: List of Current Congressmen and CongressWomen of the Philippines 2019 – 2022
See also: Famous People from Laguna Province
See also: Profiles of Philippine Provinces and Tourist Spots