Binmaley Mayor Meets Pres. Marcos, Sec. Abalos

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Binmaley Mayor Pedro "Pete" Merrera III conversed with Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. about the mayor's contribution to the program of the national government during the Launching of Hapag Kay PBBM event held lately at the Rizal Park Open Auditorium in Manila.

Mayor Merrera's attendance showed his support to the governance and leadership of the President.

Binmaley Mayor Pete Merrera (2nd from left) compares note with Philippines President Bongbong Marcos (extreme left) and Department of Interior & Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos (3rd from left).

The Mayor is second cousin to Secretary Abalos.

“Kasi magpinsan ang mother ko at father niya (because my mother and his father are cousin),” the first term Mayor of the first class coastal town told Northern Watch Newspaper.

DILG is dubbed as one of the two most powerful departments of the national government because it controls the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Local Government Academy, National Police Commission, National Youth Commission, Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College and others.

Abalos, he said, told the crowd, the regional and provincial public officials during his town’s 433rd Foundation and Sigay Festival 2023 that he is the cousin of the mayor.