Honorific-Prefix: | The Honorable |
Benjamin Agarao Jr. | |
Office: | Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Laguna's 4th District |
Term Start: | June 30, 2013 |
Term End: | June 30, 2022 |
Predecessor: | Edgar San Luis |
Successor: | Jam Agarao |
Term Start1: | June 30, 2004 |
Term End1: | June 30, 2007 |
Predecessor1: | Rodolfo San Luis |
Successor1: | Edgar San Luis |
Office2: | Member of the Laguna Provincial Board from the 4th District |
Term Start2: | June 30, 2001 |
Term End2: | June 30, 2004 |
Term Start3: | June 30, 1992 |
Term End3: | June 30, 1995 |
Birth Date: | October 1, 1957 |
Birth Place: | Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines |
Children: | 4 (including Benjo and Jam) |
Father: | Benjamin Agarao Sr. |
Mother: | Nydia Cueto |
Relatives: | Ma. Meg Agarao–Espiritu (sister) |
Party: | PFP[1] (2023–present) |
Occupation: | Politician, businessman |
Benjamin Cueto "Benjie" Agarao Jr. (born October 1, 1957) is a Filipino politician and businessman who served as Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Laguna's 4th District from 2004 until 2007, and from 2013 until 2022.[2] [3] He also served a board member of Laguna from the same district from 1992 to 1995 and from 2001 to 2004.
Agarao served as the board member of Laguna on the 4th district from 1992 to 1995 and 2001 to 2004. He served as the congressman Laguna's 4th congressional district for 5 terms, from 2004 to 2007, and from 2013 to 2022, under the parties Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), and PDP-Laban.
He ran for mayor of Santa Cruz, Laguna, with PDP-Laban, losing to the incumbent Egay San Luis.[4]
Agarao transferred from the party PDP-Laban to the party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).[5]
In May 2014, Agarao was involved in a controversy regarding a multi-billion-peso scam regarding the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), however, Agarao denied the alleged "accusation".[6]
In an election campaign for the 2016 elections, the Liberal Party of the Philippines held a rally, also celebrating the birthday of Agarao. The senator Francis Tolentino invited the dance group Play Girls to entertain the guests, the invitation caused a controversy about the Play Girls.
Agarao was born on October 1, 1957, in Santa Cruz, Laguna,[7] he is married to Estelita Agarao, having 4 children with her. Including Benjo Agarao and Jam Agarao, Jam is the current congresswoman for Laguna's 4th congressional district.[8]