Benny Abante

Abante was elected as Representative of Manila's 6th District in 2019 with the previous incumbent Ocampo ineligible for reelection. He ran against Councilor Cassy Sison and newcomer Yvette Ocampo, Rosenda's sister.

He was one of the principal authors of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill during the 14th Congress. The FOI bill was defeated in Congress after its opponents questioned if there was a quorum on the final session day.

Abante unsuccessfully defended his seat in the 2010 election, losing to Rosenda Ann Ocampo.

He ran and won a seat in Congress in May 2004. He was subsequently named chairman of the Committee on Public Information.

He graduated with a degree in theology, and also holds a master's degree in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and a doctorate in Theology from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. In 1986, he founded the Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE), and also heads the Abante International Ministries (AIM), the Grace and Truth Community International Foundation, Inc., and the Ben O. Abante Baptist Bible College.

Abante grew up taking on odd jobs such as shining shoes, selling newspapers and corsages and working on a construction site at a young age to support himself. He also worked in an accounting firm as an auditor to support his college education. In 1975, he started the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries in Santa Ana, Manila.

Bienvenido "Benny" Mirando Abante Jr. (born May 15, 1951) is a Filipino politician and pastor serving as the Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives. He is the incumbent representative of the 6th District of Manila. He is the host pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries in Santa Ana, Manila.

Abante was born in the outskirts of Sampaloc, Manila on May 15, 1951, the eldest of four sons of the Rev. Ben O. Abante Sr. and Priscilla Mirando. He has two younger brothers, Jose Hernes and Reuben, who both grew up to be ministers.