Abante, a coalition candidate of both Lakas-NUCD-UMDP-KAMPI and Liberal Independent, garnered the most-coveted Tower of Excellence Award for his distinguished achievements as Manila’s Most Outstanding Councilor during his incumbency. He has shown high acceptance rating among the youth, women and professional sectors, including the elderly, who advocate a shift from political patronage and money politics to the election of men of high moral standards and virtues.
Abante is a Minister of the Gospel and has been active in projects involving youth development and education, woman and child protection, the welfare of the handicapped/disabled, senior citizens/elderly, as well as health/sanitation, ecological/environmental concerns and livelihood programs to uplift the poor and destitute of the city.
Abante has also built schools for elementary, High school and college, and a computer school for students interested in high-tech education. He recently inaugurated a fully-equipped medical clinic to cater to poor patients of his district, including a multi-million peso Mobile Clinic (ambulance), similar to the one used by Paramedics as shown on television’s "Rescue 911".
Abante was greeted by more than 5,000 of his supporters when he came out of the Commission on Elections office (COMELEC) in Intramuros after filing his Certificate of Candidacy. A prayer rally was soon held at the same spot.