Francis Gerald Abaya

The Honorable
Francis Gerald Abaya
Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives
from Cavite's 1st district
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byJoseph Emilio Abaya
Succeeded byJolo Revilla
Personal details
Born (1975-09-15) September 15, 1975 (age 48)
Philippines
Political partyLiberal
Alma materWentworth Institute of Technology

Francis Gerald "Boy Blue" Aguinaldo Abaya (born September 15, 1975) is a Filipino politician and architect who served as the Representative of Cavite's 1st district from 2013 to 2022.

Early life and education

Abaya was born on September 15, 1975, to Plaridel Abaya, a former congressman, and Consuelo Aguinaldo-Abaya, granddaughter of the first President of the Philippines Emilio Aguinaldo.[1] He is also the brother of former congressman and Secretary of Transportation and Communications Joseph Emilio Abaya.

In 2002, Abaya graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in architecture.[2] He passed the Architectural Board Examination administered by the Professional Regulation Commission that same year.[3]

Early career

Before his political career, Abaya worked in the field of architecture serving as the Resident Architect of various construction and real estate companies. He also taught architecture at the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas for several years.[3]

Political career

Abaya entered politics in 2013 when he ran as congressman for Cavite's 1st District under the Liberal Party. The seat was vacant since October 2012 due to the resignation of his brother, Joseph Emilio Abaya, to serve as Transportation Secretary. Abaya won the seat gaining 94,283 votes or 67.96% of the total valid votes cast. In the 16th Congress, he was the vice-chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology; and assistant majority leader of the Committee on Rules.[4] He also authored and filed a bill that would reinstate the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps in all colleges and universities.[5]

In the 2016 general elections, Abaya ran again for a second term as congressman and won. He also helped in the presidential campaign of Liberal Party candidate Mar Roxas.[6] In the 17th Congress, he served as the vice-chairman of the House Committees on Climate Change, Information and Communications Technology, and Science and Technology.[7]

Abaya ran again in the 2019 House of Representatives elections and won with 78.56% of his district's votes. In the 18th Congress, Abaya served as the chairman of the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion; vice-chairman of the Committees on Climate Change, Information and Communications Technology, and Science and Technology; and member of the Committees on Government Enterprises and Privatization, Housing and Urban Development, and Social Services.[8] He was among the 12 members of the opposition Liberal Party that joined the “Super Majority Coalition” of the House of Representatives dominated by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.[9]

Personal life

Abaya is married to a physician and they have 3 children.[3]

He is a member of the United Architects of the Philippines and a fellow at the Philippine Institute for Architects.[3]

References

  1. ^ Abaya, Ellson Quismorio (June 12, 2015). "Cavite congressman bears weight, raises honor of Aguinaldo name". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "CALD Secretaries General : CALD | Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats". cald.org. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  3. ^ a b c d Liberal International Dakar 62nd Congress Delegate Guide (PDF). Liberal International. 2018. p. 29.
  4. ^ "Hon. Abaya, Francis Gerald A." House of Representatives (16th Congress). Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  5. ^ Jimeno, Rita Linda (November 23, 2015). "Time to revive ROTC". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "Inside Balay: Who's who in the Roxas campaign". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  7. ^ "Hon. Abaya, Francis Gerald A." House of Representatives (17th Comgress). Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  8. ^ "House of Representatives House Members". www.congress.gov.ph. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  9. ^ Cahinhinan, John Carlo (July 23, 2019). "Ayaw na sa dilaw? LP stalwarts Erice, Abaya join Duterte-led House Majority". Politiko. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
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