Jun Abaya

Jun Abaya
Born	Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya (1966-05-28) May 28, 1966 Philippines
Occupation(s)	Public servant, legal professional, former military officer, politician
Years active	1984–2016
Known for	Secretary of Transportation and Communications (2012–2016), Representative for Cavite's 1st District (2004–2012)

Joseph Emilio "Jun" Aguinaldo Abaya (born May 28, 1966) is a Filipino public servant, legal professional, and former military officer. He held the position of Secretary at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. Affiliated with the Liberal Party, Abaya served three consecutive terms as a representative for Cavite's 1st District in the Philippine House of Representatives from 2004 to 2012. During his service, he and other officials from the Aquino government were implicated in investigations concerning allegedly irregular contracts related to the MRT Line 3.

Early life and education

Abaya descends from notable Filipino historical figures, being the great-grandson of former Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo through his granddaughter Consuelo Aguinaldo, as well as a descendant of revolutionary leader Isabelo Abaya, who founded Candon, Ilocos Sur. He is also the second son of Plaridel M. Abaya, who served three terms as a Congressman.

His elementary education was completed at De La Salle University in 1979. He distinguished himself academically at Philippine Science High School Main Campus and initially pursued engineering studies at the University of the Philippines as a scholar. After one year, he topped the entrance examination for the Philippine Military Academy and subsequently attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, consistently earning Dean's List honors. He then received a fellowship to study at Cornell University, obtaining a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1989. During his academic career, he held leadership roles such as vice president of his PMA Maringal Class of 1988 and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Abaya earned his Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 2005 and successfully passed the Philippine Bar examination in 2007.

Political career

Prior to his political pursuits, Abaya served as a cadet from 1984 to 1988 and later as a naval officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines until 2004.

He was first elected as congressman representing Cavite's 1st District in 2004 and secured re-election in 2007. During the 14th Congress, he chaired the House Committee on Science and Technology and also co-chaired the Joint Congressional Committee on Science and Technology alongside Senator Edgardo Angara. In 2009, together with fellow representatives Elpidio Barzaga Jr. and Jesus Crispin Remulla, he authored Republic Act No. 9727, which expanded Cavite’s congressional districts from three to seven.

In his last term during the 15th Congress, Abaya led the House Committee on Appropriations.

On October 12, 2012, President Benigno Aquino III appointed him as Secretary of Transportation and Communications, taking over from Mar Roxas.

A Senate report released in February 2016 suggested that Abaya and other DOTC officials "may have violated" provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act concerning questionable contracts associated with maintenance work on Metro Rail Transit Line 3. The line was reported to suffer from operational deficiencies such as insufficient coaches and deteriorating infrastructure. The allegations primarily involved graft accusations tied to maintenance agreements during his time in office.

Abaya resigned from his post on June 30, 2016, coinciding with the end of President Aquino’s term.