Benjo Agarao
Joseph Kris Benjamin Baltazar Agarao also known as ' Benjo Agarao''', is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is currently serving as Mayor of the Municipality of Santa [Cruz, Laguna|Santa Cruz], Province of Laguna, having won the majority of votes in the Laguna local elections|2025 Midterm National and Local Elections].
Political career
In 2010 election, Agarao run for a seat in the Laguna Provincial Board for the 4th District. He run under the banner of the Liberal Party, joining the Ticket of former Laguna Governor Jose "Joey" Lina Jr., who was running to reclaim his seat. Agarao endorsed the Benigno [Aquino III 2010 presidential campaign|Presidential candidacy] of then-Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III of the Liberal Party. Agarao's bid ended-up victorious garnering 107,940 votes of the total votes counted. He serve with Benedicto Mario Palacol Jr. of the Lakas–KAMPI. Agarao manage to be re-elected in 2013 and 2016 elections under the same-party.In 2019, Being barred to run for a fourth consecutive term. Agarao joined the Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, Laguna|Mayoralty] election, running under the PDP–Laban. He later lost his bid to former Laguna's 4th District Representative Edgar San Luis of the Nacionalista Party. Agarao garnered 23,547 votes over 25,075 votes of San Luis. Former Mayor Ariel Magcalas of the KDP, ended-up in the third place garnering 3,521 votes.
His term ended on June 30, 2019. He then return into a Private life, becoming a Businessman. He later confirmed his intention to run again for Public position. Later he filed his Candidacy for Board Member for the 2022 election under the National [Unity Party (Philippines)|National Unity Party]. He then managed to be elected, becoming the top-notcher of the Provincial Board. He garnered 186,326 votes, serving with Francis Joseph San Luis of the Aksyon Demokratiko.
In June 2024, Agarao confirmed that he will run for Mayor of Santa Cruz for the upcoming 2025 [Santa Cruz, Laguna local elections|2025 elections]. Before that, on April 6, 2024, He joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas along with Councilor's Rizaldy Kalaw and Esmeraldo De Las Armas Jr. and other's.
Personal life
Joseph Kris Benjamin Baltazar Agarao was born on October 11, 1979, in Santa Cruz, Laguna. His father is Benjamin Agarao Jr., who served as the district representative of Laguna's fourth district from 2013 to 2022 and previously from 2004 to 2007, and his mother is Estelita Agarao. Agarao is an Aglipayan.Agarao is married to Ellaine Talleon; together they have four daughters.