Representative Jorge “Bolet” Banal is a former United States banker who earned his business degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration in the University of the Philippines prior to running for public office.
In 2004 and 2007, Representative Bolet was elected as Councilor of the 3rd District of Quezon City, with the distinction of being the Number 1 Councilor of the Third District in 2004 and the Number 1 Councilor of the entire city in 2007. In 2007, he was awarded one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Councilors in the Philippines. He was also President Pro-Tempore of the Quezon City Council.
Representative Bolet is known for his projects promoting literacy and education such as ilove2read, Araw ng PagBasa, Feed the Mind, Summer English Reinforcement Classes, Camp Pag-Ibig, and School Bags Para Sa Lahat. As City Councilor, he sponsored the PAT Ordinance as well as legislative measures creating the Quezon City Solid Waste Management Board, regulating the use of groundwater, and declaring November 27 as Araw ng PagBasa in Quezon City.
Representative Bolet has been a member of the Liberal Party since 2002. In 2009, he became the first Kaya Natin! Champion of Good Governance and Ethical Leadership from Metro Manila, joining the likes of former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, former Pampanga Governor Among Ed Panlillio, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, and Senator TG Guingona.
After only two terms in the City Council, Bolet was elected in 2010 as Representative of the Third District of Quezon City. At present, he is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Basic Education and Deputy Majority Leader of the 15th Congress.
