PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
1. ABELLA, ERNIE
INDEPENDENT

Ernie Abella, 72, is a businessman, writer, and pastor who is a long-time supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. He also briefly served as the president’s spokesperson.

He is running as an independent candidate, seeking to promote the participation of ordinary citizens and small entrepreneurs in governance, better access to food and healthcare services to children and senior citizens.

Platform and Policy
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The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any

Select a policy profile below to view more details
 
Governance
 
Access to services
Related Policy Proposal:
Participation by ordinary or private citizens and small entrepreneurs in government, including establishment of a “listening” government
Previous Platform:
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Related Policy Proposal:
Provide children and senior citizens better access to food and healthcare services
Previous Platform:
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Major Accomplishments
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The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so

Public Office

Abella is a long-time friend and supporter of Duterte who negotiated his release from kidnappers in 1996 when he was Davao City mayor. After winning the presidency, Duterte appointed Abella as his spokesperson but replaced him after a year when he allegedly grew dissatisfied with his handling of issues faced by the administration.

Abella remained vocal in his support of the Duterte administration following his appointment in the Department of Foreign Affairs as an undersecretary.

Handled communications duties on behalf of the president
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Position/Date
Presidential spokesperson, June 2016 to Oct. 2017
Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research, DFA, Oct. 2017 to Oct. 2021
Status
Replaced by Herminio “Harry” Roque
Resigned to file candidacy for president
Private Sector

Writer
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Columnist, SunStar Davao
Position/Date
Status
Formed a cooperative and a secondary school
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Position/Date
Founder
Status
Headed private businesses
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Position/Date
CEO, 2004 to 2013
Status
Founder of the Hope of Asia and Jesus Fellowship, Inc, a charismatic group
Read More
Position/Date
Founder
Status
Left in 2004 to work in private business
Actions and/or Proceedings
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Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth
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Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Campaign Details
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Key details about the candidate's campaign

Campaign Manager:
Alliances and Endorsements:
Party History:
Independent(present)
Major Donors
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Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Major Advocacies
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The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Personal Details
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Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience

Name to appear on the ballot: ABELLA, ERNIE
Full Name: Ernesto Corpus Abella
Birthdate:
Birthplace: Davao City
Residence:
Religion:
Languages Spoken: English, Filipino
Parents:
Siblings:
Marital Status:
Children:
Education:

•B.A. in Pre-Medicine, Ateneo de Davao University, 1968

•Masters in Divinity, Siliman University, 1984

•Masters in Social Development, Asian Institute of Management, 2005

Work Experience:

•Undersecretary of Strategic Communications and Research, Department of Foreign Affairs (October 2017-October 8, 2021)

•Presidential spokesperson, Oct. 2016 to Oct. 2017

•Founder, One ACCORD Credit Cooperative

•Founder, Southpoint secondary school

•Columnist, Sunstar Davao

•CEO, F&P Agri-inputs, 2011 to 213

•CEO, AZ Agri-Products, 2004 to 2007

•Columnist, San Pedro Express

•Professor, Ateneo de Davao University