Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
. 
Retired Judge Benjamin “Ben” Torres Pongos, Sr. was a distinguished public servant and 
a true Ormocanon, who belonged to long lineages of politicians in Ormoc City. His father, Dr. 
Wenceslao Sabino Pongos, one of Ormoc’s first practicing physicians, also served as one of the 
City’s earliest mayors. “Judge Ben,” as how Ormocanons fondly called him, had a long and 
distinguished career in public service, in which he devoted much of his life. 
As a politician, he served as a member of the Municipal Board of Ormoc (the equivalent 
of a city councilor) for two terms from 1960-67.   As Municipal Board of Ormoc member, some 
of the notable pieces of legislation he passed included ordinances with strong cultural 
significance, such as regulations for fiestas, cockpits, sale of liquor within the city, and more.  
Thereafter, as a lawyer who graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas Law School in 
Manila, he was appointed presiding municipal judge of Albuera, Leyte.   Throughout his long 
career as a magistrate, he was able to serve  in different places in the country, namely: Makati 
City; Cebu City, and lastly, as the presiding judge of a branch of the Regional Trial Court in 
Tacloban City, where he eventually retired in the late 1980s.  He retired from the judiciary with a 
stellar record, unblemished by  any accusations of dishonest or corrupt acts. He had a reputation 
for being a no-nonsense judge, upholding honesty and integrity at the highest level.  
He was also a prolific farmer of sugarcane, rice, coconut, poultry, and fruit trees.  He was 
very active in Ormoc community activities and was a member of various local organizations 
such as the Rotary Club of Ormoc, the Unifarm Farmers Cooperative, the Couples for Christ and 
August 22, 2023
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others. Because Judge Benjamin Pongos was an exemplary Ormocanon, it is with pride that one 
of the new roads should be named in his honor.  
In view of the foregoing, the early approval of this measure is earnestly sought.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA 
4th District, Province of Leyte


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT NAMING THE ROAD COMMENCING IN POBLACION OF ORMOC AT 
JUNCTION OF HERMOSILLA DRIVE, TRAVERSING BARANGAY NORTH, 
FORMERLY DISTRICT 29, AT RIZAL EXTENSION ROAD AND BARANGAY 
DONGHOL AT DONGHOL-LAKE IMELDA ROAD AS THE  
BENJAMIN PONGOS AVENUE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. The road commencing in Poblacion of Ormoc at Junction of 
Hermosilla Drive, traversing Barangay North (formerly District 29) at Rizal Extension Road 
and Barangay Donghol at Donghol-Lake Imelda Road is hereby named as the Benjamin 
Pongos Avenue. 
SEC. 2. The Department of Public Works and Highways shall issue the necessary 
rules, orders, and circulars to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days 
from its effectivity. 
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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