Benjamin Abis
In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Etobicoke North NDP (talk) 21:39, 23 March 2025 (UTC)
Benjamin Abis | |
|---|---|
 Abis at Pine Point Park, 2025 | |
| Candidate for Member of Parliament in Etobicoke North | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Sintome Abis Jr. June 5, 1958 Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Canadian, Filipino |
| Political party | New Democratic Party/Nouveau Parti démocratique (NDP/NPD) |
| Residence | Etobicoke North, Toronto, Ontario |
| Alma mater | Ateneo De Manila University (LL.B., 1987), University of the Philippines (B.A., Psychology, 1979) |
| Profession | Retired Correctional Officer |
Benjamin Abis (born June 5, 1958) is a retired Correctional Officer from the Toronto South Detention Centre, a former paralegal instructor and practitioner in Ontario, and a practicing lawyer before immigrating to Canada.
Abis is the New Democratic Party candidate for Member of Parliament in Etobicoke North, Ontario.
In 2016, Abis was recognized by the Toronto Police Service and Toronto Fire Services for performing CPR on an elderly man while canvassing for Liberal MP Kirsty Duncan.[1]
Early Life
Abis, a descendant of the Cuyonon people, was born on June 5, 1958, to Cuyonon parents Benjamin Abis Sr. and Sophia Sintome in Manila, Philippines. He was the fourth of six children.
Education
Abis attended San Sebastian College before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1987. While working at the Presidential Management Staff (Philippines) under then-Philippine President Corazon Aquino, he pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at Ateneo de Manila University, which he completed in 1988. He passed the Philippine Bar Examinations the same year.
Career
After graduating from the University of the Philippines, he joined the Presidential Management Staff, serving under former Philippine Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino.
From 1990 to 2005, he worked at AIA Philippines (formerly known as the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company or Philam Life) as a Labour Relations Officer and later as Assistant Vice-President in the Claims and Legal Departments. In 2002, he was promoted to Senior Assistant Vice-President for Philam Plans.
He also taught Legal Ethics and Legal Writing at San Sebastian College Law School.
After migrating to Canada in 2005, Abis held various jobs, including working as an Ontario paralegal instructor and as a supervisor for Environmental Services at Humber River Hospital. At the Toronto South Detention Centre, he served in different roles within the custodial services department, worked as an Assistant Storekeeper, and eventually retired as a Correctional Officer 2 in February 2025.
Community work
As a practicing lawyer in the Philippines, Abis provided free legal assistance to survivors of child abuse through Bantay Bata, a social welfare program of ABS-CBN Foundation.
In Canada, he volunteered at the Kipling Acres and at Humber River Hospital.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered for FoodShare Toronto delivering Emergency Good Food Boxes to newcomer families and migrant workers in Etobicoke, North York and Mississauga.
While working in Toronto South Detention Centre, he was an active member of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. John Bosco Council 14327.
References
- ↑ Reason, Cynthia (April 29, 2016). "MP Kirsty Duncan among 13 Etobicoke residents to receive Toronto Police Services awards for unselfish acts of bravery". Toronto.com. The Etobicoke Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
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