Honorable Senator Franklin M. Drilon

Public servant and lawmaker Franklin M. Drilon has been serving Filipinos and the country since 1986.

Upon the opening of the 16th Congress, Drilon was elected, for the fourth time, to the third highest position in the land, the Senate Presidency – a post he had previously held from April to November 2000, from July 2001 to June 2004, and from July 2004 to June 2006.

During the 15th Congress, Drilon chaired the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures. As chair of both committees, Drilon successfully sponsored the swift passage of the General Appropriations Act for the years 2011, 2012, and 2013.

He championed major reform measures during the 15th Congress: the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, the law that synchronized the elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao with the May national elections; the resolution annulling the original voters’ list in the ARMM and allowing the Commission on Elections to conduct a re-registration for a new one; and the Sin Tax Reform Law, which Drilon especially referred to as an “anti-cancer law.”

Recognizing his exemplary leadership, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) elected him as its President in 2005. From 2006, he was chair of the IPU Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians. He is a member of the IPU executive Committee.

Prior to his stint as senator, Drilon first served as Deputy Minister of Labor and Industrial Relations in 1986 under then President Corazon C. Aquino. He later became Labor Secretary from 1987 to 1990.

In 1990, he was appointed Justice Secretary, and in 1991, he became Executive Secretary. During the term of President Fidel Ramos, in 1992 to 1995, he was again appointed as Justice Secretary.

Drilon entered the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1965 and took up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He then enrolled at the UP College of Law in 1969 and placed 3rd in the Bar Examinations. Prior to joining the government, he was the managing partner of the Angara, Concepcion, Cruz, Regala, and Abello Law Offices.

In 2002, Drilon partnered with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry to build classrooms using his PDAF. To date, approximately 1,800 classrooms have been constructed at half the cost of the regular school building program by the government.

Drilon led several clean up drives for the polluted and dying Iloilo River, and allocated funds to build the Iloilo River Esplanade. At present, he is working on the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, also his brainchild project. He was also the pivotal force behind the approval of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project-Stage II.

Born November 28, 1945 to Cesar M. Drilon, Sr. and Primitiva Magtunao, Drilon’s humble beginnings began in Molo, Iloilo with his early education in the public school system, when he graduated from the Baluarte Elementary School in 1957, and high school at UP Iloilo College in 1961.

Senator Ralph G. Recto

Senator Ralph Gonzalez Recto is an ultimate public servant - educated, dedicated, diplomatic, and honest. His devotion to family and community, unrelenting desire to make a better life for others, consummate passion for his work, and interactive leadership style serve as the firm foundation upon which he built a reputation as a young and committed leader whether as a legislator or a national executive.

His independence makes him an exemplary and notable public official, the catalyst that makes us see through our faults in his stinging but profound statements. He can never be boxed into a myopic position to the disdain of his critics. He is not one to shun the rough waters of public opinion when he tackles unpopular measures. He faces them head on, but in ways that disarm the enemy. Whoever initially opposes him is soon converted into an ally.

Family and personal life

Senator Ralph Recto’s political lineage is traced to the late nationalist and statesman Claro Mayo Recto, who was a senator for several terms and himself a descendant of the patriotic Mayo and Recto clans of Luzon. Senator Ralph Recto is the second child of three of lawyer Rafael Recto who was an Assemblyman during the Regular Batasang Pambansa and Carmen Gonzalez Recto whose family hails from Pangasinan.

He is married to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, father to Ryan Christian and stepfather to Luis Philippe Manzano.

Education

Senator Recto has completed the coursework and is a candidate for both master's degrees in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and in Strategic Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific. He also took up a Leadership Scholarship Course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America. He acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the De La Salle University-Manila. His elementary years were spent at the Ateneo de Manila University while his High school diploma was received from the De la Salle University.

In 2009, he was conferred a degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa by the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology.

At the House of Representatives

He holds the distinction of being the youngest elected member of the House of Representatives during the 9th Congress. He also holds an unprecedented record in the congressional election history of Batangas for winning in all precincts, barangays, municipalities, together with Lipa City in the 1995 and 1998 elections. He garnered 98% of the votes cast in those two elections in the 4th District of Batangas.

During his three terms (from 1992 to 2001) as Member of the House of Representatives, his legislative measures enacted into law mostly dealt with economic reforms and poverty alleviation. Among which are the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act; the Philippine Economic Zone Law; Amendment to the Special Economic Zone Law; the Retail Trade Liberalization Law; Regional Headquarters Law and the Comprehensive Tax Reform Law.

At the Philippine Senate

Senator Recto was elected to the Senate in 2001, becoming the youngest Senator of the 12th Congress at the age of 37. In the Senate, he chaired the Committees on Ways and Means and on Trade and Industry.

Senator Recto learned the nuances of lawmaking as one of the youngest legislators in both Houses of Congress. The diligence he puts into each law that he shepherds continues to draw the respect and admiration from peers including those on the other side of the political fence. The august halls of Congress have heard his resonant voice that all these years remained truthful and logical, yet spirited and candid.

Being the youngest Senator of the 12th Congress has not deterred him from ably steering the powerful Ways and Means committee that has been traditionally assigned to senior Senators. He, likewise, led the unmasking of foreign hands subverting the work of the Senate and other government offices.

A deep sense of equity and fairness defined his balanced handling and scrutiny of tax measures. In all cases, he assigned great value on the peoples' needs in the face of contending government and industry concerns. He was also identified with warning calls on ballooning budget deficits, public debt and unemployment, among other crucial issues.

He was co-chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committees on the Proper Implementation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and on the Official Development Assistance (ODA). Sensitivity to the welfare of government employees also marked his chairing of the Accounts committee dealing with the Senate budget.

During his six-year term as Senator, he was largely responsible for the passage of laws with positive impact to consumers, small entrepreneurs, workers and industry.

After the elections of 2007, Senator Recto joined the board of the Union Bank of the Philippines as an Independent Director.

At the National Economic and Development Authority

On July 23, 2008, he was named as the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority.

As NEDA chief, Recto helped craft and monitor the government’s Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP), which served as the Philippines’ pump-priming program. The ERP implementation involved the frontloading of government spending during the first half of 2009 and increased spending for social services and infrastructure. Moreover, he proposed a new economic plan for the next year initially dubbed as REAP (Reloading Economic Acceleration Plan) to protect the gains made from the ERP and prepare the country for the anticipated economic rebound. He also set in place a more institutionalized monitoring of global and local events as they affect the Philippine economy.

Recto advocated various development issues such as a transparent oil pricing scheme to protect consumers as well as a greater transparency in government project implementation. He also backed innovations in the green industry and technology in the Philippines and signed a climate change program with the United Nations and the Spanish Government. In addition, Recto pushed for deeper engagements with China and other growth regions such as the Middle East.

During his term as NEDA Director-General, Recto instituted the adoption of value engineering in infrastructure projects to help cut costs, minimize delays and strengthen the ICC process. He introduced an employment odometer for all government projects/initiatives to estimate the number of jobs that can be created.

Senator Recto also advocated the enhancement of the performance review of the Philippine government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio to help improve the country’s absorptive capacity, speed up the implementation of development programs and projects, and manage for development results.

On August 16, 2009, he resigned as NEDA Director General and Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning, in preparation for another run for the Senate in the 2010 election.

A New Senate Mandate

In the present 15th Congress, Senator Recto chairs the Committees on Ways and Means and on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. He also co-chairs the Joint Oversight Committee on the Proper Implementation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and the Joint Oversight Committee on the Official Development Assistance (ODA). He is vice chairman of the Committee on Public Services and a member of the Commission on Appointments.

HEARTS which is the acronym for Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism and Security is the core of Senator Recto’s legislative agenda and advocacy. He believes that reforms in these sectors would have a meaningful impact on the efforts to alleviate the sorry plight of the Filipino people.

Meet Senator Alan

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was only 13 years old when he was first exposed to public service. His father, the late Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano, was then elected Assemblyman representing Taguig, Pateros and Muntinlupa.

Having been raised under the tutelage of his father, a lawyer and a devoted public servant, he took interest in political science and enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman where he eventually ran and won as a university councilor in the student council. Then inspired by his father’s preeminent standing as a lawyer, student Alan decided to pursue a degree in Law at the Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated as Silver Medallist and with a Second Honourable Mention. He was later admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1998.

It was the late Senator Rene’s values, principles, and dedication to public service that further inspired the young Alan to follow in his father’s footsteps. Having had the privilege of seeing his father consulting, meeting, and working with people from all walks of life, it was not difficult for him to decide on a lifetime advocacy and career in public service.

Batang Compañero

At age 22, Alan began his own journey as a public servant even while he was still in law school. He made history in Philippine politics as the youngest (and number one councilor) in that generation in the then Municipality (now City) of Taguig.

Three years later, he was elected Vice Mayor of Taguig, but his official proclamation took place only 10 days before his three-year term of office was due to end. It was then when public servant Alan realized that his political detractors would spare nothing to stop him in his advocacy for good governance. (His 2007 campaign for the senate was subjected to a similar attempt at depriving him of a political mandate.)

His frustrating and short-lived tenure as vice mayor in 1998 made him decide to seek a mandate to represent the people of Taguig as a Congressman for the Lone Congressional District of Taguig and Pateros. He won handily.

It did not take long for the country to notice Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano standing up in the halls of Congress debating with his elders. He was the “Batang Companero” in the opposition. He impressed his peers with his eloquence as a speaker and with his strong advocacy against graft and corruption in government.

Anti-corruption advocate

As the spokesman of the Impeachment Team that sought to hold President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo liable for stealing, lying and cheating, Congressman Alan began articulating the need for accountability and transparency in both local and national government.

As a freshman in the Senate in 2007, his known commitment and uncompromising stance towards graft and corruption made him an easy choice to chair two major Senate Committees – the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers (more popularly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee) and the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture. It was under his stewardship of the Blue Ribbon Committee when the graft-ridden NBN-ZTE deal was first investigated which led to the scrapping of the multi-million dollar project. He also steered the continuation of the Fertilizer Scam investigation and the Cash-giving Scandal in Malacañang Palace.

Proponent of People Empowerment

Senator Alan believes that to effectively fight corruption and strive for good governance, Filipinos must be empowered. To help realize this advocacy, he, as chairman of the Committee on Education, initiated the efforts to make educational loans and scholarships more responsive and easily accessible to deserving students even as he was steadfast in seeking more funding for basic and tertiary education, and for better compensation for public school teachers.

Under his stewardship, R.A. 9500, or the University of the Philippines Charter Act of 2008, was passed barely nine months after he assumed post.

Senator Alan again pursued his advocacy to empower Filipinos. In 2009, as chairman of the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, he launched a campaign to make the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act become a law. He is convinced that once enacted into law, the measure shall provide the people improved access to information on matters of public concern in line with the mandate of the 1987 Constitution.

He moved closer towards succeeding in his quest for increased transparency and accountability in the government as this landmark legislation was approved on its 3rd reading and passed in the Senate during the 14th Congress.

Catalyst for a New Paradigm of Transparency and Accountability in Government In the 15th Congress (2010-2013), Senator Alan assumed the position of the Senate Minority Leader. In his present position of political leadership, Senator Cayetano has committed himself to lead a responsible opposition, as a catalyst and fiscalizer, in the halls of Senate.

The Minority Floor Leader continues his thrust towards transparency, accountability and good governance as shown in his filing of and determined push for the passage of the FOI bill, his active participation in the investigations pushing for the resolution of the poll fraud cases of 2004 and 2007, as well as his articulate and insightful manifestations that clarified points and ferreted out crucial admissions and information during the impeachment proceedings of then Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The Senate, through Adopted Resolutions No. 46 and 94, commended Senator Cayetano for his efforts as Minority Leader in championing the cause of orphaned, abandoned children and vulnerable workers, and for his astute inputs in the deliberations of crucial legislation and resolutions, in the First and Second Sessions of the 15th Congress.

Young Achiever

Senator Alan has always been among the youngest, if not the youngest, in his political sphere:      At 22, Alan was the Youngest Councilor of the country during his time At 24, Alan was the Youngest       Vice-Mayor of the Municipality (now City) of Taguig      At 27, Alan was the Youngest Representative in the 11th Congress       At 36, Alan was the Youngest “Working” Senator in the 14th Congress       At 37, Alan has been the youngest Chair of the high profile Senate Blue Ribbon Committee       At 39, Alan has been one of the youngest contenders for the Senate Presidency       At 39, Alan is the youngest Minority Leader in the history of the Philippine Senate       At 39, Alan was recognized for his exemplary work in government and public service when he was      awarded as one of the “Top Outstanding Young Men” in 2010.

SENATE PRESIDENT JUAN PONCE ENRILE Fifteenth Congress

Upon the opening of the Fifteenth Congress on 26 July 2010, the honorable JUAN PONCE ENRILE was elected unanimously by his peers to the third highest position in the country, the Senate Presidency, a position he is now serving for the second time. He is now on his fourth term as Senator.

Juan Ponce Enrile earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1953. He graduated cum laude and salutatorian. He took his oath as a member of the Philippine Bar in 1954. He ranked No. 11 among the successful bar candidates with a rating of 91.72%, one of the highest in the history of the Bar. He made a perfect score of 100% in Commercial Law. He took post-graduate studies at the Harvard Law School where he obtained his Master of Laws degree in 1955, specializing in taxation and corporate reorganization.

He practised law for twelve years from 1954 to 1966 as a law partner at the Ponce Enrile, Siguion Reyna, Montecillo, Belo and Ongsiako Law Offices. He also served as a Professor of Law at the Far Eastern University - College of Law from 1956 to 1964.

In January 1966, the young s career in the public service which would last for more than four decades. Recognized for his expertise in tax matters, he was appointed Undersecretary of Finance at the beginning of 1966. Shortly thereafter, he was made Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Bank. Then he was designated as a concurrent Acting Head of the Insurance Commission. As such, he revised many of the rules and regulations in the Insurance Commission with the end in view of making the industry more transparent and stable. As proof of its relevance, many of these rules and regulations issued during his incumbency are still included in the current Insurance Code. He also served as Acting Commissioner of Customs until December 1968. While he was in the Finance Department, he was appointed Acting Secretary of Finance and concurrent Chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines.

In December 1968, in recognition of his integrity and reputation held before the Philippine Bar, of Justice where he served until February 9, 1970.

On February 10, 1970, he was appointed Secretary of National Defense until August 1971 when he resigned to run for the Philippine Senate. He was re-appointed Secretary of Defense in January 1972.

In 1986, he led the historic EDSA People Power Revolution that served as model for subsequent bloodless revolutions all over the world. Together with idealistic members of the military and with the support of the Catholic church, people flocked to EDSA in solidarity to the man and his vision of restoring democracy to the nation.

His first term in the Philippine Senate was from 1987 to 1992, during which he served as the lone Minority in the Senate. His second term was from 1995 to 2001, during which he was designated as Chairman of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995.

In the legislature, Senator Enrile focused his efforts at refining fiscal measures to make sure that the government's need for revenue is balanced with the protection of the masses from undue tax burdens. He was the author of Republic Act No. 8424 also known as the

Comprehensive Tax Reform Law, which exempted Overseas Contract Workers from paying income taxes in the Philippines on their income earned abroad. In the same law, his recommendation that homeowners be exempted from the payment of capital gains provided they invest the proceeds from the sale of their homes in buying or constructing other homes for themselves was also approved. He also sponsored the provision in the law exempting all Filipinos residing abroad from the payment of Philippine income tax on their income earned abroad. In the previous Tax Code, the same income was taxed in the Philippines even if it had already been subjected to tax in the foreign jurisdiction.

One of the Senator's advocacies involved a review of the performance of the power sector. Senator that there was a need to refine the process of computing electrical charges to make the industry more efficient and to help households from being charged with inordinately high electric bills. For this reason, the Senator was very vocal in his criticism of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. When the bill was submitted for voting, he cast the lone dissenting vote on the grounds, among others, that the EPIRA law, which institutionalized the imposition of the Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA), would subject the ordinary users to unnecessary increase in rates.

Cognizant of the Constitution's prohibition against the formation of monopolies, Senator Bill as a means to discourage the formation of cartels and to curb the manipulation of the prices of basic commodities. Also, recognizing the need for security and the protection of civilians in the aftermath of the September 11-tragedy, the Senator filed the Anti-Terrorism Bill. His Senate term ended in 2001.

In 2004, inspired by the people's confidence in him, he sought to run for senator once again and, with an overwhelming vote, he was elected to the 13th Congress. He immediately resumed pursuing his major advocacies for consumer protection and reforms in the electric industry, as well as in our revenue system. Among the first bills he introduced were: the Anti-Trust Bill, Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), increasing the tax exemptions of individual tax payers and other revenue-related measures. "

He was active in plenary debates and was constantly vigilant over vital pieces of legislation taken up on the Floor, such as the Sin Taxes (RA 9334), Expanded Value Added Tax or EVAT (RA 9337), A 9367), Amendments to the Automated Elections System (RA 9369), and the General Appropriations Act, among others. Rarely was a bill passed into law without being scrutinized and examined by Senator Enrile.

To fulfill his campaign promise "or Enrile meticulously studied and filed a bill proposing major amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Since he cast the lone negative vote against EPIRA in 2001, he wanted to pursue his advocacy for the protection of electric power consumers against unjust and unreasonable power rates. He was eventually designated as Sub Committee Chair of the Committee Energy to facilitate committee consideration of the amendments to EPIRA.

One of the most important pieces of legislation acted on by Congress was the Anti-Terrorism Bill. Having filed the original bill in 1995, and having been the Defense Minister for many years, Senator ver the sponsorship of the measure on May 22, 2006. After going through long and tedious deliberation, this measure was later signed into law as the Human Security Act of 2007.

Faithful to his vow to expose and oppose any program or measure that he believes to be inimical to national interest, he delivered speeches inquiring into the status of the tax credit scam, on the anomalous banking transactions of the Standard Chartered Bank, and on the

present state of the insurance industry, which became the bases for investigations conducted by the appropriate Senate committees. Furthermore, as a member of the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, he participated in the inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the anomalies that have been taking place in ings Corporation.

Senator p of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights following the re-organization of the Senate when the Third Regular Session began. Without fail, and characteristic of his dynamic and pro-active disposition, Senator Enrile immediately conducted committee work and facilitated the passage of these measures: 1) An Act Strengthening the Office of the Solicitor General(R.A. No. 9417); 2) An Act Reorganizing and Strengthening the Public Attorney's Office(R.A. No. 9406) ; and, 3) numerous corresponding bills for creating additional branches of trial courts in various areas nationwide. Other measures that were subjected to committee consideration includes: An Act Defining as a Crime the Act of Driving any Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages and/or Prohibited Drugs; An Act Providing for the Payment of Survivorship Benefits to the Spouse of a Deceased or Retired Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals; An Act Adopting a Salary Schedule for the Members of the Bench and other Lawyers in the Judiciary; and, An Act Providing for the Retirement Benefits of the Judiciary.

Also in the Thirteenth Congress, Senator Chairman of the Committees on National Defense and Security, and Banks, Currencies and Financial Institutions and a member of 15 other standing committees including Foreign Relations, Blue Ribbon, Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws, Public Order and Illegal Drugs, among others. He was also the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Commission on Appointments.

In the Fourteenth Congress, Senator of the Committee on Finance, during which he shepherded the timely passage of the annual general appropriations act.

Backed by the support and trust of his peers in the chamber, Senator Enrile as the Senate President on 17 November 2008. In all humility, he accepted the responsibility entrusted to him, saying that “To lead the Senate with its great minds, strong advocacies, varying and independent political beliefs and leanings, is not an easy task. But it is precisely this variance in points of view and the battle of great ideas that provide the dynamism we need to craft legislation that takes into account and balances the competing interests involved – with the end in view of serving the greater good of the people to whom we owe our mandate.”

Under his leadership, the Senate passed vital pieces of legislation such as the CARP Extension, Anti-Torture Act, Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, National Heritage Conservation Act, Real Estate Investment Act, among many others. Institutional reforms were also implemented within the Senate to improve the daily conduct of business by the institution, as well as improve the welfare of its officers and employees.

Also under him, the Senate also collaborated with the House of Representatives on two crucial issues which are now considered historical milestones. First was in December 2009 to take up Proclamation No. 1959 of the previous administration, declaring a state of martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, while the second occasion was in May 2010, when Congress convened to constitute itself as the national canvassing board to canvass the votes for president and vice president, and thereafter proclaim the winners.

Now on his fourth term in the Senate, Senate President s to “discharge my duties and responsibilities with honor, with total devotion to our institution, and with fairness to all

members. No partisan consideration will blur or color the treatment of any member of the Senate. We are all Senators elected by the people to serve them with dedication to their interest and well-being and devotion to our responsibilities.” Furthermore, in his acceptance speech, he enjoined his colleagues to “uphold the independence and integrity of this Senate, without abandoning our duty to cooperate with the other departments of the government to achieve what is good for our people.”

With those words and by his example, Senator Juan Ponce ed the wavering faith and hope of the people in the country’s legislature.

Background/Education

Senator Sonny Angara was born in July 1972 to former Senate President Edgardo Angara of Baler, Quezon (which would later become Aurora Province) and teacher Gloria Manalang of Pampanga.

He took up his elementary and high school studies at Xavier school where he was a consistent honor student. He finished his undergraduate degree in International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE) graduating with honors.

He went on to study law at the University of the Philippines College of Law where he was class president, member of the Law Journal, Debate Society, Honors Society, and captain of the basketball team. He became a member of the Philippine bar in 2001.

In 2003, Sonny earned his Master of Laws degree from the Harvard Law School, USA, one of only 3 Filipinos accepted that year.

Professional Career

Before entering politics, Sonny had already experienced life as a business reporter/writer, bank clerk, and apprenticed at the Philippine mission to the United Nations in New York.

While in politics, Sonny found time to teach law at the Centro Escolar University (CEU) and New Era College of Law. He also found time to write columns for newspapers (Good Morning Philippines, Remate, Bulgar). He has also served on the Board of Regents of his alma mater the University of the Philippines, and on the Board of Trustees of other state universities and colleges.

Political and Legislative Career (2004-13)

Sonny served 3 terms as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora Province and is proud of having been a part of that province's transformation from a provincial backwater to a growing tourist, agribusiness and investment destination. In his 9 year stint as a Congressman, he was regularly awarded by various publications as an outstanding congressman and was recognized as the most prolific in the 14th Congress where he authored into law several important bills like: 1. the Credit Information System Act (RA 9510) which seeks to make it easier for small businesses and individuals to access loans even without collateral by showing good credit habits; 2. the National Cultural Heritage law (RA 10066) which seeks to protect our cultural patrimony as part of building a strong Filipino nation; 3. the Personal Equity Retirement Account orPERA  law (RA 9505) which is the equivalent of the US 401k retirement account and which enables Filipinos to save up for their retirement; 4. RA 9504 the law exempting minimum wage-

earners from paying income taxes; 5. the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994) which exempted seniors from paying VAT, thus restoring the full enjoyment of the 20 percent discount; 6. Joint Resolution no. 4 or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL 3) which increases the salaries of government employees like public school teachers, nurses and policemen; 7. the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), a landmark law which strengthened women's rights and participation in all spheres of national life; 8. a new charter for the University of the Philippines (RA 9500) to help it modernize; and 9. the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593) which sought to strengthen Philippine tourism as an engine of national growth.

Sonny also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the 15th Congress where he also authored/sponsored several important measures. In the fields of education and health, he was a sponsor/author of the K-12 law (RA 10533), theKindergarten law (RA 10157), and the Universal Healthcare law (RA 10606). He also authored the law giving allowance for good conduct of prisoners (RA 10592). Sonny also sponsored laws that would create universities in less developed provinces like Catanduanes, Quirino, Negros, Cotabato, Kalinga Province, among others, in the firm belief that the best way out of poverty and towards a good life is a quality education.

In his 3 terms as Congressman, Sonny funded thru his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) the construction of over 300 classrooms, the education of over 3,000 scholars, and the treatment of over 12,000 patients in 11 government hospitals.

For his achievements Sonny was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for government service and legislation, the first public servant to be recognized for achievement in legislation.

Legislative Advocacies

Sports - pushing for greater support for Filipino athletes.

Ways and means - pro poor and pro family legislation to strengthen the Philippine state and Filipino families by having more equitable and progressive tax system. One that helps build the middle class.

Family - pushing bills for deductions for first home, for education expenses.

Culture - a bill granting incentives to local and foreign film studios who shoot films in the Philippines and use and showcase Filipino talent and locations and scenery.

Education - greater scholarships, school modernization, higher salaries for teachers; financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

OFWs - a credit assistance program to help our overseas workers and to avoid them falling into debt or victim to unscrupulous recruiters.

Anti-corruption - push for Freedom of Information (FOI) since days in congress.

Personal and Family Life

Sonny is happily married to Tootsy Echauz with whom he has 3 children. He enjoys playing sports, reading and traveling. He has been a member of the Philippine Jaycees and the Museum Foundation.

Senator Bam Aquino is the youngest senator of the 16th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. A multi-awarded youth leader and social entrepreneur before being elected into the Senate, Senator Aquino is also the Philippines’s first social entrepreneur-senator.

The gentleman from Concepcion, Tarlac graduated with summa cum laude honors from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1999, with a degree in Management Engineering. He was also the class valedictorian and student council president.

In 2003, Bam became the youngest head of a government agency when, at 25, he was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Youth Commission, the primary national policy-making body for Filipino youth.

After his stint in government service, Bam co-founded the social enterprise The Hapinoy Program, which has since received global awards for its program that helps lift poor Filipinos out of poverty through micro-finance and micro-enterprise support. In 2008, he was awarded a scholarship to the Executive Education Program on Public Policy and Leadership of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Bam has dedicated his entire career to empowering the youth and the poor, helping thousands of Filipinos improve their lives through access to opportunities and crucial support systems.

Because of his work, Bam has been named a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2006, one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 2010, one of the Asian Social Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2011, and one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World in 2012.

He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship and the Senate Committee on Youth.

 

CURRICULUM VITAE 

SENATOR, Senate of the Republic of the Philippines (July 2013 - present) Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth

PRESIDENT, MicroVentures Foundation (April 2012 – May 2013)

PRESIDENT, MicroVentures Incorporated (June 2007 – April 2012) Microventures, Inc. is a social enterprise that engages in poverty alleviation through business development for the poor. It currently runs the internationally awarded Hapinoy Program with thousands of women micro entrepreneur members in the Philippine countryside.

PRESIDENT, TAYO Foundation (March 2006 – February 2013) The TAYO Foundation oversees the yearly search for the most outstanding youth organizations in the Philippines.

HOST, Start-Up, ABS-CBN News Channel (November 2008 – August 2009) Start-Up is a show for budding entrepreneurs on the Philippines' premier news channel.

EDITOR, Young Southeast Asia Young Southeast Asia is the ASEAN's 40th Anniversary book that focuses on young achievers in the region. (Published December 2007)

PRESIDENT, Megamobile, Inc. (September 2006 – February 2008) Megamobile, Inc. is a mobile solutions provider for small and medium enterprises.

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Microventures, Inc. (January 2007 – May 2007)

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, National Youth Commission (February 2003 – February 2006)

COMMISSIONER-AT-LARGE, National Youth Commission (May 2001 – January 2003) The National Youth Commission is the chief youth policy-making arm of the Philippine government.

HOST, SME Go! Powered by GoNegosyo, GMA News TV (2012) SME Go! is a television show that features stories of inspiring and successful small and medium entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

HOST, Yspeak, Studio 23, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network (July 2006 – February 2007) Yspeak is a youth-oriented debate show on national television.

HOST, Breakfast, Studio 23, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network (April 2001 – July 2006) Breakfast at Studio 23 is a youth-oriented morning talk show on national television.

SPECIAL PROJECTS GROUP, ABS-CBN Foundation (May 1999 to May 2000) Was involved with rehabilitation centers for abused and neglected children, disaster management and relief operations, and volunteer recruitment

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Executive Education Program on Public Policy and Leadership (December 2008)

Ateneo de Manila Law School (SY 2000 - 2001)

Ateneo de Manila University Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering, (1995 - 1999) Graduated class valedictorian with summa cum laude honors

Ateneo de Manila High School (1991 - 1995) Graduated class valedictorian with first honors

Ateneo de Manila Grade School (1983 - 1991) Delivered valedictory speech and graduated with first honors

SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENTS, AWARDS, ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS ATTENDED

Panelist, “Changing the Game: Innovating Smartly in Organizations and Systems”; Panelist, “Cracking the Emerging Market Code” World Economic Forum (2014) Davos, Switzerland

Manila 40 Under 40 Global Development Leader, 2013 Awarded by Devex

Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Awardee, 2012 Awarded by theJunior Chamber International

Panelist, “Learning from the Frontier”, 2012World Economic Forum Davos, Switzerland

Social Entrepreneur of the Year Co-Awardee, 2011 Asia CategoryAwarded by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs

Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, 2010Social Enterprise and Community Development Category Awarded by the Philippine Jaycees

Co-Finalist, Ernst and Young, 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year

PLDT Bossing Co-Awardee, 2010 Retail Financing Category Awarded by PLDT

GoNegosyo Inspiring Young Entrepreneur, 2010 Awarded by GoNegosyo

Member of the Board, Coca-Cola Foundation (September 2007 - May 2013)

Member of the Board, Rags2Riches, Inc. (September 2007 - May 2013)

Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum, Canada (June 2006 - present) A distinction awarded by the World Economic Forum to young achievers from different countries

Member, Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leaders Forum, Hong Kong, China (February 2006 - present) A forum on various topics affecting the region, composed of young leaders from Asia and the United States

Member of the Board of Trustees, Venture for Fund Raising (2002 - May 2013) A Manila-based non-profit engaged in capability and resource-building education for NGOs in the Asian region

Ambassador, Haribon Foundation (March 2004 to 2006)

Chairman, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth Manila, Philippines (August 2003)

Spokesperson, The Children's Hour (2002 to 2004) An initiative to raise resources for poor children through personal and institutional donations

President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral University student council of the Ateneo de Manila University(1998 - 1999)

Jose Rizal Most Outstanding Model Student of the Philippines (1999)

Merit Top Ten College Co-eds (1999)

Founding Member and Constitutional Chairman, National Union of Catholic Student CouncilsAn association of student councils and governments of various Catholic universities and colleges in the Philippines (October 1998)

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay is the eldest daughter of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and former Makati City Mayor Dr. Elenita S. Binay.

At present, she is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, which has jurisdiction on all matters relating to rural development and welfare, and the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution on social justice. As chairperson, she conducted public hearings with stakeholders concerning the Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy, Social Welfare and Development Agencies, Social Value Act and the Centenarians Act. Nancy has submitted for Senate approval, Committee Report No. 54 dealing with the Centenarians Act.

Senator Nancy attended all session hearings during the First Regular Session of the 16th Congress. Notwithstanding her outstanding attendance, Nancy also filed bills and resolutions relating to her advocacies primarily concerning women and children, the elderly and housing concerns. At the end of the First Regular Session of the 16th Congress, she has filed a total of 158 bills and resolutions. In particular, Nancy filed Senate Resolution No. 415 which was adopted by the Senate as Resolution No. 33 commending the soldiers of the 14th Infantry Battalion deployed to Guiuan, Eastern Samar in recognition of their incredible acts of bravery in the wake of typhoon Yolanda.

Nancy, as she is fondly called, grew up constantly exposed to the world of politics and public service. At 25, she became directly involved in the city government affairs during her mother’s term from 1998-2001.

Prior to her election as senator, she assisted the Vice President for Housing matters. Her duties included serving as liaison between the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Shelter Agencies under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and between the OVP and local government units on housing concerns. She also assisted the Vice President in monitoring the implementation of programs of the Shelter Agencies under HUDCC.

Aside from her experience in government and public service, the lady senator completed her primary and secondary education at St. Scholastica’s College Manila. Nancy obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Tourism at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1997.

Born on May 12, 1973, Nancy is married to Jose Benjamin Raymundo Angeles, a businessman. They have four children, namely, Jose Benjamin Jejomar Angeles, 13 years old; Maria Elenita Faustina Angeles, 11; and five-year old twins, Juan Benedicto Adelio Angeles and Juan Benito Alejandro Angeles.

In between performing her roles as wife and mother and her official functions, Nancy has managed to pursue her ardent advocacy for children through her involvement with several charitable organizations.

She continues to serve in the following capacities: Member, Board of Trustee of Brighthalls Children’s Foundation; Executive Director and Member, Board of Trustees, Bigay Pagmamahal Foundation; Member, Board of Trustees, STF Serbisyong Tunay Foundation, Inc.; and Member, Board of Trustees, JCB Foundation.

Senator Pia S. Cayetano

Senator Pia S. Cayetano stands tall as a champion of women’s rights and staunch advocate of health. The youngest woman elected in the history of the Philippine Senate, she continues to prove that there is no limit to what Filipino women can achieve.

Armed with the training of a lawyer, discipline of an athlete, and heart of a mother, Senator Pia excelled in her first term as legislator and was re-elected to a second term in 2010.

In her ten years of public service, she has pushed for the passage of several measures benefitting women, children and the elderly, while also working to improve public health and social services for the poor and marginalized.

Most recently, Senator Pia worked for the passage of three landmark laws. She sponsored the Reproductive Health Law (RA 10354), which provides women with access to information and health care services to realize their reproductive health rights, after the bill languished in Congress for 14 years. She also fought for the Sin Tax Reform Act (RA 10351) which generates additional revenue for the country’s healthcare system, while also discouraging Filipinos from the unhealthy behaviors of smoking and excessive drinking, and Graphic Health Warning Act (10643), which requires all cigarette packages sold in the market to bear picture-based warnings on the hazardous effects of smoking.

Her growing list of legislative accomplishments includes the Act Amending the National Health Insurance Act (RA 10606), Foster Care Act (RA 10165), Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act (RA 10152), Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (RA 10028), Establishment of Persons with Disability Affairs Office Act (RA 10070), Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994), Food and Drugs Administration Act (RA 9711), Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act (RA 9502), National Anti-Rabies Act (RA 9482), and the Environmental Awareness and Education Act (RA 9512), among others.

As an international parliamentarian, Senator Pia was the first Filipina and Asian in the history of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to be elected president of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians, a position she held from 2008-2010.

Outside the Senate halls, Senator Pia promotes her advocacies through Pinay In Action (women empowerment), Bike for Hope (environment and healthy lifestyle), and Gabriel’s

Symphony Foundation, which helps children with disabilities and special needs. She actively joins local and international marathons, duathlons, triathlons, and Ironman competitions.

A mother, triathlete, entrepreneur, and public servant, Pia is driven by the same passion that has made her among the country’s most accomplished leaders. The daughter of the late Senator ‘Compañero’ Rene L. Cayetano has come into her own, making her mark as the Senate’s ‘Pinay In Action.’

 

CURRICULUM VITAE SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO

Educational Background:

1991 Bachelor of Laws, College of Law, University of the Philippines. Graduated with academic distinction, #7 in her class; Member of the Honor Society, Order of the Purple Feather

1985 Bachelor of Arts in Economics, School of Economics, University of the Philippines, Graduated Cum Laude

Government Service:

July 2010 – Present Member, Philippine Senate, 15th CongressJuly 2010 – Present Chairperson, Committee on Health and Demography, Senate of

the PhilippinesChairperson, Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations, Senate of the PhilippinesChairperson, , Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Clean Water Act of 2004

July 2004 - June 2010 Member, Philippine Senate, 13th and 14th Congress,Nov. 2008 - June 2010 Chairperson, Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and

Rural Development, Senate of the PhilippinesJuly 2004 - Nov. 2008 Chairperson, Committee on Environment and Natural

Resources, Senate of the PhilippinesChairperson, Committee on Health and Demography, Senate of the PhilippinesCo-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999Co-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000Co-Chairperson, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

July 2004 - July 2007 Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines

Inter-Parliamentary Union Positions Held:

April 2008 - April 2010

President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

April 2006 – April 2008

First Vice President, Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

April 2005 President, 10th Meeting of Women Parliamentarians112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly

Professional/Business Positions Held:

2001 - Present Founder, Maxi Group of Companies - Retailer and Distributor of educational toys, infant apparel and accessories

2000 General Counsel, Philweb Corporation1996 - 1999 Legal and Corporate Affairs, Belle Corporation and its affiliates1992 - 1995 Associate Lawyer, Castillo, Laman Tan, and Pantaleon Law

Offices – Specialized in Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Law

Civic Activities/Positions

Founder, Pinay In Action – provides a venue for women to take on a healthy lifestyle and tools and information to promote women’s empowerment; organizes annual Bike for Hope

Founder, Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation, Inc. – focuses on operation of babies with cleft lips and projects involving special children and education of the poor.

Founder, Compañero Rene Cayetano Foundation – provides support to the needy with respect to health, education and environment concerns and aims to establish a liver center in the Philippines

Spokesperson, Samahan Laban sa Pekeng Gamot

Spokesperson, Philippine Cancer Society

Spokesperson, Universal Birth Registration Project

Member of the Board of Trustees, Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs

Advocate and resource person on maternal health; early childhood care and development; breastfeeding; cervical and breast cancer; migration of health workers; affordable and quality drugs; anti-violence against women and children; magna carta of women; environmental awareness; sustainable forest management; climate change; sports, healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition

Media Activities:

Co-host, Usapang de Kampanilla, DZMM 630khz Co-host, Ang mga Payo ni Compañero, DZMM Columnist, Compañero y Compañera, People’s Tonight Columnist, Baby Magazine and Good Housekeeping Radio Host, Compañero y Compañera Publisher of Booklets and Newsletters for mothers

Achievements in Sports:

2013 INTERNATIONAL RACES 3rd place in her age-group, Lisboa International Triathlon, Portugal 1st place in her age-group, Xterra Off-road triathlon, Cebu, Philippines 3rd place, Women’s Category, Pilipinas Akyathlon: The Philippine International Skyrace, Mt. Ugo, Benguet, Philippines

LOCAL RACES 2nd place, Women’s Category, DurianMan 51.50 Triathlon, Davao City 1st in her age-group, Dipolog Centennial Triathlon, Dipolog City 4th place, 21k-Female Category, Perpetual Help Community Cooperative Anniversary Run, Dumaguete City Finisher, Condura Skyway Marathon: Run for the Mangroves, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

2012 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, Ironman 70.3, Cebu, Philippines 2nd place in her age-group, Bintan International Long Distance Triathlon, Indonesia 6th place, Women’s Category, Taitung Long-distance Triathlon, Taiwan 2nd place in her age-group, XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, Liloan, Cebu, Philippines 1st place in her age-group, ITU International Duathlon, Subic, Philippines 2nd place in her age-group, 5150 Triathlon, Subic, Philippines Finisher, Stockholm Centennial Marathon, Sweden 2nd place in her age-group, Pilipinas Akyathlon: The Philippine International Skyrace, Mt. Ugo, Benguet, Philippines

2011 INTERNATIONAL 3rd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines Finisher, XTERRA World Championships, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii 1st place in her age-group, 1st XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, Liloan, Cebu 1st place, All Female Category, XTerra Putik Pare 2011, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna Finisher, Megatri (long-distance triathlon), Singapore

2010 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in Thailand 

3rd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines Finisher, XTERRA ‘Putik Pare’ Off-Road Duathlon in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines 1st place in her age-group, ITU-Subic Bay Duathlon Open in Subic, Philippines

2009 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, Tokyo Marathon 2nd place in her age-group, Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur, Philippines

2008 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, ING Amsterdam Marathon Finisher, New York Triathlon Finisher, Amica Ironman 70.3, Rhode Island Finisher, Aviva Ironman 70.3 in Singapore Finisher, ING New York Marathon

2007 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, Western Australia Ironman Finisher, ITU Subic International Triathlon, Subic, Philippines Finisher, Aviva Ironman 70.3 in Singapore

2006 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, Venice Marathon Finisher, ING New York Marathon

2005 INTERNATIONAL Finisher, World Duathlon Championship, Australia

2004 INTERNATIONAL Series Champion, Ladies Division, Clark Duathlon Finisher, San Francisco, Chronicle Marathon (USA) Finisher, San Francisco Marathon

OTHERS Youngest Member, Philippine National Volleyball Team (at age 17) Captain, University of the Philippines, Varsity Volleyball Team (at age 18) Runner, Cyclist, Tri-athlete and Sports enthusiast

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

PERSONAL DATA

Born 1945 in the Philippines Father was presiding judge (RTC) and mother was college dean Married to Narciso Y. Santiago, Jr., Filipino Two adult sons, one dead Office: Defensor Santiago Law Firm           4/F Narsan Blg. 3 West Fourth St.,           West Triangle Quezon City, Philippines Office email: miriam@miriam.com.ph Website: www.miriam.com.ph Phone: (632) 371-9156            (632) 372-4573            (632) 411-4380 Fax:     (632) 376-5936

WORK EXPERIENCE

In December 2011, she was elected by States Parties to Rome Statute as judge of the International Criminal Court for nine-year term. First Filipino and first Southeast Asian from a developing state to be thus elected.

But she waived the ICC privilege, after she was diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 4 (last stage). After six weeks on new medication, doctors found her cancer has regressed. She returned to work in the Philippine Senate.

Senator, Republic of the Philippines 1995 - 2016• Chair, Committee on Foreign Relations • Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes• Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee    on Automated Election System • Chair, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the    Overseas Absentee Voting Act • Chair, Commission on Appointments, Committee on Foreign Affairs • Chair, Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement • Chair, Committee on Economic Affairs • Chair, Special Oversight Committee on Economic Affairs

Senior Partner, Defensor Santiago Law Firm 1992 – PresentOpinion Columnist, “Gadfly,” Today newspaper 1994Presidential runner-up (Ranked close No. 2 in scandalous        canvassing), 1992 Philippine presidential elections 1992President and founder, People’s Reform Party 1991 – PresentChair and founder, Movement for Responsible Public Service 1990 – PresentSecretary of Agrarian Reform       • Chair, Presidential Agrarian Reform Council Executive Committee 1989Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation  Member, Board of Directors:

1988 – 1989

• Public Estates Authority • Philippine Retirement Authority • Ninoy Aquino International Airport Authority • Land Bank of the Philippines

1988 – 1989 1988 – 1989 1988 – 1989 1989

Opinion Columnist, “Overview,” Philippine Panorama Sunday magazine 1985 – 1988

Professorial Lecturer, College of Law, University of       the Philippines (evening class) 1976 – 1988Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 106, Quezon City 1983 – 1987Legal Consultant, University of the Philippines Law Center 1981 – 1983Legal Consultant, Philippine Embassy, Washington, D.C. 1982Legal Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for       Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland 1979 – 1980Special Assistant to the Secretary of Justice 1970 – 1980Member, Board of Censors for Motion Pictures 1977 – 1979Opinion Columnist, Philippines Daily Express newspaper 1972 – 1975Professor of Political Science, Trinity University of Asia 1971 – 1974

EDUCATION:

Doctor of Juridical Science (Barbour Scholar and DeWitt Fellow),       University of Michigan. Requirements (except publication),      fulfilled in six months, with “A” average. 1976Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Centro Escolar University 1989Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro

1989

Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, University of San Agustin 1989Master of Laws (DeWitt Fellow), University of Michigan, with “A” average

1975

Master of Arts in Religious Studies (without thesis),        Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City

1996

Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, University of the Philippines 1969Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude,        University of the Philippines.  Finished in 3-1/2 instead of 4 years,        with an average grade in the last semester of 1.1. 1965Member, Pi Gamma Mu and Phi Kappa Phi international honor societies  1969Valedictorian, Iloilo Provincial National High School. Awardee,       All-Around Girl Medallion. 1961Valedictorian, La Paz Elementary School  1957

POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

Visiting Law Fellow, St. Hilda’s College, Oxford University 2000Visiting Fellow, Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law,       Cambridge University 1999Paris-Geneva Summer Program in International Law, sponsored       by American University 1998Summer Program in Law at Oxford University, sponsored by Florida State University

 1997

Summer Program of Instruction for Lawyers, Harvard University 1996Graduate, California Judicial College, University of California at Berkeley.       In the practical courtroom test, American judges gave her the       highest grade of 33 out of 35.

1985

Fellow, Seminar on judicial writing and caseflow management in the       trial courts, Institute of Judicial Administration, Supreme Court.       Topnotcher of examination in judicial writing 1984

Fellow, UN/UNITAR Programme in International Law, The Hague,       Holland and Brussels, Belgium 1978Fellow, External Session of The Hague Academy of International Law,       Tokyo, Japan 1978Fellow, Academy of American and International Law, Southwestern       Legal Foundation, Dallas, Texas 1972

CONFERENCES

Official delegate in numerous state visits by Pres. Arroyo 2007-2009Speaker, Panel on the Status of Ratification and Implementation      of the Rome Statute in Asian countries, Asia- Pacific Parliamentary      Consultation on the Universality of the Rome Statute of the International      Criminal Court (ICC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2011

Head of Delegation, 6th International Conference of Tibet       Support Groups, Haryana, Dharamsala, India 2010Speaker, Panel on Gender Justice and Human Rights, 32nd Annual Forum       Empowering Women – Building Human Security, Istanbul, Turkey

2010

Delegate, 5th World Parliamentarian’s Convention on Tibet, Rome, Italy

 2009

Delegate, World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland 2008Head of Delegation, 13th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific       Parliamentary Forum, Ha Long City, S.R. Viet Nam 2005Delegate, Third Session of the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians       for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rule of Law,      Wellington, New Zealand

2004

Fellow, Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China

2002

Keynote Speaker, Island Conference on Public Administration, University of Guam

1992

Fellow, Williamsburg Conference, Chiangmai, Thailand 1990Fellow, International Visitor Program, Washington, DC and Los Angeles  1989Fellow, Special Visits Program, Sydney and Canberra, Australia 1988Chairperson, 13th Roundtable on Current Problems of International       Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy 1988Philippine Delegate, Interpol General Assembly Session, Nice, France 1987Secretary-General, ASEAN Women Judges Conference, Manila 1987Fellow, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 1985Philippine Delegate, First International Seminar-Workshop on Managing        Delay in the Courts, Manila

1983

Chairperson, Second Philippine Goodwill Mission to the Republic of China

1968

Philippine Delegate, First Southeast Asian and Australasian Law       Students’ Seminar, Singapore

 1967

BOOKS:(Cited as authority in Philippine Supreme Court cases)

Law 2014 ed. Constitutional Law, Volume 1 – Political Structure Constitutional Law, Volume 2 – Bill of Rights International Law, With Philippine Cases and Materials and ASEAN Instruments International Law (co-author) Rules of Court Annotated Civil Code Annotated Penal Code Annotated Constitution Annotated Corporation Code Annotated Election Code Annotated Insurance Code Annotated Local Government Code Annotated National Internal Revenue Code Annotated Tariff and Customs Code Annotated

Philosophy 2003 ed. History of Philosophy, The Great Philosophers Political Philosophy, Theory and Issues in Politics Philosophy of Religion, Western and Eastern Religions Moral Philosophy, Theory and Issues in Ethics (in progress)

Politics International Relations 2d. ed. Politics and Governance Christianity vs. Corruption At the Turn of the Century: National Policy Issues in the Philippines Cutting Edge: The Politics of Reform in the Philippines Where Angels Fear to Tread: Politics and Religion How to Fight Election Fraud How to Fight Graft

Literature Inventing Myself: an Autobiography A Frabjous Day and Other Stories The Miriam Dictionary

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Google Top 20 Most Influential Filipinas of 2010 Womanity Award for public service 2010, on website Female Network “Order of Civil Merit,” Kingdom of Spain, 2008 “The 100 Most Powerful Women in the World,” The Australian magazine, 1996http://wisdom.psinet.au/~kabu/100mpw.html Magsaysay Award for Government Service, 1988.       Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, Magsaysay Awards Foundation. TOYM Award for Law, 1985 (The Outstanding Young Men)       Opened to Women 1984, Philippine Jaycees TOWNS Award for Law, 1986 (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service)       Philippine Lions Most Outstanding Alumna in Law, University of the Philippines, 1988 Gold Vision Triangle Award for government service, 1988       YMCA Philippines 

Republic Anniversary Award for law enforcement, 1988       Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines 

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito was born on December 26, 1969 in Manila. He is the son of San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez and former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

He is a proud alumnus of Xavier School where he completed his elementary and secondary education. He earned his college degree of AB Political Science at De La Salle University in 1991. Ejercito first entered the political limelight in 2001 when San Juan residents clamored him to run as mayor. He served as San Juan Mayor for three consecutive terms, from 2001 to 2010.

Under Ejercito's leadership, San Juan was distinguished for its dynamic local government reform and economic boom with an annual revenue increase of P100 million. From P300 million in 2001, San Juan's revenue increased to P1.2 billion pesos in 2010. Because of the significant growth, San Juan was converted into a highly urbanized city in June 2007.

Ejercito’s accomplishments as Mayor garnered him several prestigious awards, among them the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award for Public Service and Governance in 2007.

In 2010, Ejercito ran unopposed as Representative for the Lone District of San Juan.

In the 15th Congress, Ejercito was recognized among the 15 Most Outstanding Congressmen. He chaired the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, and became Vice Chairman of the Committees on Labor and Employment, and Local Government.

Ejercito was also distinguished as the 9th Most Prolific Lawmaker in the 15th Congress, having authored 149 House Bills and 18 House Resolutions, one of which was the Kasambahay Bill. He fought for higher state subsidy for the State Universities and Colleges and for the reformation of the Sangguniang Kabataan system.

Ejercito was elected Senator during the May 2013 national elections.

In the 16th Congress, Senator JV Ejercito is seeking to legislate landmark reforms on the local housing, economic affairs, education system, job generation and youth welfare. He has filed 117 Senate Bills and 18 Senate Resolutions. He is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.

Senator Ejercito likes to play golf during his spare time. He is a Commissioned Reserve Officer of the Philippine Marine Corps with the rank of Major and an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’88 of Maringal.

Senator JV Ejercito is married to Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco. He is father to two boys, Julio Jose and Jose Emilio.

 Francis Joseph “Chiz” Guevara Escudero

Chiz Escudero first came to the attention of the Filipinos when as one of the youngest members of Congress, he stood out as a charismatic, eloquent speaker with a remarkable facility with the Filipino language. He has risen to prominence when he led an impeachment drive against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His meteoric ascend to politics saw him a senate seat in 2007.

Chiz was born Francis Joseph Escudero on October 10, 1969. He is the second of the three children of the late Agriculture Minister and First District Representative of Sorsogon Salvador Escudero and now congressman Evelina Guevara Escudero. He was educated in the public school system of the University of the Philippines from kindergarten all the way to law school, where he was a member of the debate team. After passing the Philippine Bar in 1994, Chiz went into practice while at the same time took on a teaching position as a law professor at the UP College of Law. In 1996, he obtained a Masters degree in International and Comparative Law at Georgetown Law Center in Washington, D.C.

In 1998 he won his first election as the Representative of the First District of Sorsogon at the age of 28. He was re-elected two more times during which he served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and House Minority Floor Leader. In 2007, Chiz took his oath at the Senate, garnering the second highest number of votes. Once in Senate, he made good of his mandate engaging in endeavors that fulfill his campaign promise to be the "voice of the people" in the Upper Chamber. One of his first efforts was to gain tax exemption and additional exemptions for the low-earners. This law is now what is known as RA 9504 (Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners and Increased Tax Exemptions). He also worked to increase the maximum insurance coverage to P500,000 for bank deposits (RA 9576). At the helm of the Justice and Human Rights Committee, he is responsible for the passage of the anti-vagrancy law (RA 10158), RA 10353 (Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act) and RA 9745 (Anti-Torture Act). In the last 15th Congress, Chiz has a zero backlog in his two committees, Justice and Human Rights and Environment and Natural Resources, having heard and acted upon all the bills filed before both. He was able to pass creation of additional 281 courts, an undertaking meant for justice to be served effectively and efficiently especially to those who are in the countryside.

Chiz was named one of the country’s Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for youth leadership in 2005. In 2007, he was the only Filipino to be named Asia News Network’s Asia’s Idols. He was honored as one of the world’s Young Global Leaders in 2008 by the World Economic Forum. And in 2012, he received the Rotary Golden Wheel Award in recognition of his contributions in political governance and the legislative field.

With the fresh mandate given to him in the 16th Congress, Chiz continues to push for extensive legislation on good governance, education, agriculture, electoral reforms and justice and human rights.

Senator Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II

Senator Gregorio B. Honasan was born on March 14, 1948 in Baguio City to Colonel Romeo Honasan and Alice Ballesteros, a teacher from Sorsogon. His elementary years were spent at San Beda College in Manila where he was a consistent honor student and accelerated from grade 4 to grade 6, and the Dominican School in Taipei, Taiwan. He graduated with honors at Don Bosco High School in Mandaluyong and took up Economics at the University of the Philippines. He then went on to the Philippine Military Academy, where he graduated as “Class Baron,” the recipient of the institution’s highest leadership award. In 1981, he took up his Masters Degree in Business Management at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), where he graduated with distinction, in his masteral thesis.

As a solider, he saw action in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and earned a number of medals, awards, decorations and commendations for gallantry in action including three Distinguished Conduct Stars, Gold Cross medals and Wounded Personnel Medals sustained in combat. In 1985 he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men given by the Philippine Jaycees. In 1986, he was one of the principal players of the EDSA revolution as one of the leaders of the RAM (Reform the Armed Forces Movement) that broke away from the martial law government. He was awarded the Presidential Commendation Medal for Government Service by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

He became Senator in 1995, the first truly independent candidate in Philippine political history to win in national elections. He was re-elected in 2001, and again in 2007.

He is principal author and co-author of, among others, the Clean Air Act of 1999, Clean Water Act, the National Security Policy, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2009, the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms Law (CARPER). He is shepherding the Freedom of Information Act which he now refers to as the POGI Bill – People’s Ownership of Government Information Act, the National Mapping and Resource Authority Law and the Land Use Act. Senator Honasan has also proposed a Mini-Marshall Plan for Mindanao to help jumpstart economic development, peace and order, and political unity. The proposal will also help end centuries of armed conflict and terrorism.

Senator Honasan is currently the Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Agrarian Reform, Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Public Information and Mass Media. He likewise chairs three oversight committees, specifically the Congressional Oversight Committees on Agrarian Reform and Dangerous Drugs, as well as the Joint Oversight Committee on the Human Security Act. He is Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Local Government, Civil Service and Government Reorganization, Health and Demography, National Defense and Security, Public Works, Rules, and Amateur Sports Competitiveness and a member of 19 major permanent committees and ten oversight committees.

Senator Honasan is for God, Country and Family as core principles of citizenship coupled with values of Faith, Hope and Love. He is a staunch advocate for the environment, social reforms, national security, good governance, education and public health, youth and sports development recognizing that as a proud sovereign nation our most strategic and precious resource are our children.

He is married to Jane Umali of Pagsanjan, Laguna, a medical technologist by vocation and an interior designer by training. They have five children and three grandchildren.

Senator Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid

Never did it occur to the lowly person of a silver screen hero that a man of his mettle would make a mark in the annals of this chamber, a place then forbidding of the not so lettered. Indeed, as a testament to a working democracy, a person with little formal education can be presented the opportunity of belonging to the group of select individuals mandated by the people to craft policies that would later on become laws and rules of conduct. For this reason, Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid never passed off the chance to deliver well in this world of the erudite.

The six years of his first term as a senator were marked with achievements which left the cynics perplexed and his critics baffled, but nevertheless proved his worth as a working legislator. He was one of the top performing senators having placed 4th among his peers in

the number of bills and resolutions filed in the 14th Congress alone. He fathered one of the meaningful social legislations of the 14th Congress, the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010 which seeks to ensure that the poor may be afforded free quality legal service. This measure heralded other policy initiatives that look to bridge the great divide between the rich and the poor. Since then, he never wavered on making proposals that would uplift the living standards of the little people of the society whose caused he has been championing, being the “Bida ng Masa”.

Consistent with his excellent showing when he was then a neophyte Senator, he did what he could, not to disappoint the more than eleven million Filipino voters who granted him a fresh mandate in the 2010 National Elections. At the close of the 15th Congress, Senator Lapid filed 239 measures earning him the distinction as the fifth most prolific members of the Upper Chamber. He authored the Meat Labeling Act of 2011, Comprehensive Unilateral Hearing Loss Research and Development and Rehabilitation Act, Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act, Corporate Social Responsibility Act, Kindergarten Education Act, and the Adopt-A-Wildlife Species Act, among others. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports, he saw to it that measures are in motion to sufficiently ensure the development of sports in the grassroots, seeing to it that the youth develop a keen interest on participation to sports competition. He looks forward to further coordination between concerned government agencies so that appropriate support is afforded to the national sports development program. In his first year at the helm of the Senate Committee on Tourism, he has initiated initiatives to oversee the development of the tourism potential of the country and gather the tools to ensure the country’s success as it joins the tourism race with our Asian neighbors.

With the aid of the people who believe in him and share the causes he seeks to uphold, Senator Lapid has proved that he is one who cannot easily be dismissed. Despite the unfair imputations against his competence, he has successfully struggled towards becoming one of the more productive legislators, slowly dispelling one criticism after another to distinguish himself as a dependable leader, a scholar of worthwhile ideals, a gentleman for the masses and a warrior for social responsibility.

Senator Teofisto "TG" D. Guingona III

Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III is currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers & Investigations (Blue Ribbon); Peace, Unification & Reconciliation; Health and Demography; and the Oversight Committee on Anti-Money Laundering.

Senator TG is a fierce fighter for basic human rights, the enemy of the buwaya and corrupt in the government, and the champion of good governance in the Philippines.

First, as a fighter for basic human rights, Sen. TG challenged the legality of some of the provisions of the Anti-Cybercrime Law before the Supreme Court. He felt that some of the law’s provisions go against the guaranteed freedom of speech and expression of the Filipinos as stipulated in the 1987 Constitution.

Second, Senator TG is the known enemy of the buwaya and corrupt people in the government. As chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, he led several investigations that gained significant results:

1) Resignation of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez;

2) Criminal charges filed before the Sandiganbayan against former first gentleman Mike Arroyo regarding the alleged anomalous purchase of second hand helicopters of the Philippine National Police;

3) Hospital arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo where she was charged with plunder for the alleged irregularities in the use and disposition of the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

4) And recently, after 9 hearings of the pork barrel scam investigation, the Blue Ribbon Committee recommended the filing of plunder and other charges to alleged PDAF scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles along with other government officials and private individuals.

Third, Senator TG is a Champion of Good Governance. He strongly believes in the principles of transparency in governance and accountability of government officials and has advocated for them. He is known to actively promote good governance, ethical leadership and support effective and ethical leaders in government.

Now, it is our pride and honor that the man known for being a fighter for the basic human rights, the enemy of the buwaya and the corrupt, and the champion of good governance is here with us today. Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

As the eldest son of President Joseph Marcelo Ejercito Estrada and Senator Luisa Pimentel-Ejercito Estrada, it is not surprising that like his parents, the Filipino masses have a special place in the heart of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, along with siblings, Jacqueline Ejercito-Lopez and Jude Ejercito.

In 1989, he was married to Ma. Presentacion "Precy" Vitug-Ejercito whom he was blessed with four wonderful and beautiful children, namely, Janella Marie, Joseph Luis Manuel, Julian Emilio and baby Julienne.

Having witnessed how his famous and well-loved father, former Mayor of the historical town of San Juan has satisfactorily governed said locality over a progressive nineteen year period (1967-1986), Jinggoy knows that he is bound to follow the footsteps that his father has carved in both public service and show business arena.

In his early 20s, Jinggoy became an actor and bagged the Filipino Academy for Movie Art and Science (FAMAS) Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in the movie entitled "Farita Punzalan Story". In 1999, he also became the host of the television public service program, SaBAYAN, which has helped a number of Filipinos through significant exposés.

Senator Jinggoy finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University and earned a degree in A.B. Economics from the University of the Philippines. He took up Bachelor of Laws for four (4) years at the Lyceum University while serving as Vice-Mayor at the Municipality of San Juan at a young age of 25. In 1992, he became the youngest ever elected-local chief executive in the entire nation at age 29. For three (3) consecutive terms, he administered the economic, social, political, and cultural affairs of the Municipality of San Juan beyond everyone's expectations. He spearheaded various projects and programs for the improvement of the said municipality in the form of - construction of

modernized Barangay Halls with Day Care Centers in all Barangays, repair and renovation of the now San Juan National High School, and other public elementary schools, recreation centers like gymnasiums, basketball courts and play grounds and the creation of different livelihood centers, improvement and replacement of drainages, concreting of municipal roads and the construction of a four-storey San Juan Medical Center and the San Juan Municipal Gymnasium. During his incumbency, San Juan gained the reputation of being one of the most progressive municipalities and the Most Peaceful Municipality in the Philippines.

During his final tenure as Mayor, he was sworn into office as the National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, where he efficiently harnessed the potential of local government units as reliable partner of the national government in nation-building through his programs on continuous empowering of the LGUs by securing and producing better service facilities to at least 1,525 municipalities during his stint.

In May 2004, the Filipino people gave the "Anak ng Masa" an official mandate to serve as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines (2004-2010). This gave him the chance to carry out his earnest desire to continue the pro-poor programs that his father has started and to pursue his commitment to address the problems besetting the country through just and meaningful legislations.

As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is presently tasked with the study and deliberations on measures relating to labor; human resources development; maintenance of industrial peace; promotion of employer-employee cooperation; labor education, standards and statistics; organization of the labor market including recruitment, training and placement of workers and exports of human resources; foreign workers in the Philippines; promotion and development of workers' organization as well as employment-intensive technology. He also chairs the Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment (COCLE).

His other committee assignments include: Accounts, Agriculture and Food, Blue Ribbon, Energy, Foreign Relations, Local Government, National Defense, Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Rules, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, Ways and Means. He is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports and the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media. He also serves as a member of the Commission on Appointments.

The good Senator introduced two hundred eighty-nine (289) bills and resolutions, two hundred forty-nine (249) of which were primarily authored by him. His current priority bills are geared towards improving and strengthening the policies affecting our workforce and overseas foreign workers, empowering our local government units, protecting and preserving our freedom of expression and assembly, and promotion of youth welfare. At present, he ranks fourth (4th) among the list of Senators with the most number of proposed legislations filed in the Upper House.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has actively participated in the deliberations on various measures during committee hearings and plenary sessions. He has successfully sponsored and steered the passage on Third Reading of the National Labor Relations Commission Bill which rationalizes the composition and functions of said Commission in order to improve its administrative and operational efficiency, particularly on the issue concerning the speedy disposition of labor cases filed. He contributed to the refinement of certain measures particularly that of the UP Charter, Human Rights Victims Compensation Act, Amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code on E-Vat and the Excise Tax, National Budget,

Synchronized Barangay and SK Elections, Ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention on Forced Labor and the Mandatory Hepatitis-B Immunization.

Since his assumption to office, the Senator has delivered a total of seventeen (17) privilege speeches on varied issues such as the constitutionally guaranteed rights on freedom of speech, expression and right to public assembly, anomalous transactions and operations of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), wiretapping scandal, and abuses of power by the current administration.

Presently, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is very much focused in keeping his commitment to the Filipino masa to do his very best as a legislator and as a public servant in securing a future far better than what we are all made to contend with, today.

Senator Loren B. Legarda

Topnotch Senator

Senator Loren Legarda is the only female senator who topped the Senate race twice, with more than 15 million and 18.4 million votes in 1998 and 2007, respectively.

The only woman to become Senate majority leader, Loren is chiefly responsible for the passage of the following laws which she authored and co-authored: the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (RA 9994); Barangay Kabuhayan Act (RA 9509); Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 9501); Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act (RA 10000); Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262); Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710); Anti-Child Labor Law (RA 9231); Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its expanded version (RA 10364); Philippine Ear Research Institute Act (RA 9245); Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009 (RA 9709); Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009 (RA 9711); Philippine Tropical Fabric Law (RA 9242); Eid’ul Fitr Holiday Law (RA 9177); Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593); Clean Air Act (RA 8749); Environmental Awareness Education Act (RA 9512); Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513); Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003); Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121); Climate Change Act (RA 9729); People’s Survival Fund Law (RA 10174); Domestic Workers Law (RA 10361), Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (RA 10533) and the National Health Insurance Act (RA 10606), among many vital pieces of legislation.

Now on her third term as senator, Loren chairs the Committees on Environment and Natural Resources, Climate Change, and Cultural Communities.

Game-changer for Asia

Amid the increasing risks of a warming world and a changing climate emerges Senator Legarda, a woman development leader from the Philippines.

She is a game-changer for Asia with a compelling vision of a safer and greener world for all.

Senator Loren Legarda advocates for quality human living harmonious with nature by seeking the path for green growth and sustainable development for nations, and challenging world leaders to save our home planet and preserve humankind now.

Environmental Champion

As the Philippines’ foremost advocate of green development, Senator Loren Legarda worked for the enactment of laws on environmental governance like the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Climate Change Act and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

At her own initiative, Sen. Legarda has spearheaded an information and education campaign on climate change. She produced films that seek to explain the science of climate change, its impact on our everyday lives and how Filipinos can avert and adapt to the changing climate, such as through the protection of the environment. These are “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng Klima” (Rains in the Summer: A Documentary Drama on Climate Change), children’s animation movie “Ligtas Likas”, “Buhos” (Downpour), “Ligtas” (Safe) and the “Philippine Marine Biodiversity” video documentary.

Senator Legarda collaborated with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in the documentary “Now is the Time”, which calls on leaders and decision-makers to strive for disaster-resilient development.

Through the greening program she founded, Luntiang Pilipinas (Green Philippines), which has planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the Philippines, Senator Legarda continues to enjoin the participation of stakeholders in pursuing this environmental advocacy.

For her contribution in protecting the environment and pushing for climate change adaptation policies, the University of the Philippines (UP) chose Senator Loren Legarda as its 2013 Distinguished Alumna for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation.

Global Thinker

The world recognizes the inspiring leadership of Senator Legarda in the global campaign for good environmental governance. In 2000, the World Economic Forum held in Davos named her as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow.

Similarly, the United Nations has also acknowledged Senator Loren Legarda twice. In the year 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme conferred on her the title of UNEP Laureate and included her in the Global 500 Roll of Honor.

In 2008, the UNISDR appointed her as its Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia and the Pacific during the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in December 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Along with her appointment as regional champion is the mission to convey an important message to world leaders.

A couple of months before her appointment as champion, in a seeming test of her parliamentary leadership, Senator Loren Legarda was asked by UNISDR to steer a meeting of parliamentarians in Manila on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Leading parliamentarians from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America came to the meeting in October 2008.

Through her able leadership, Loren successfully steered the meeting into a consensus dubbed as the Manila Call for Action by Parliamentarians which called on parliamentarians of the world to make disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation a national priority and a key consideration in development planning.

Senator Legarda, in her first official country mission as the Asia-Pacific Regional Champion in May 2009, addressed the Bhutan National Sensitization Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction, encouraging delegates to incorporate disaster risk reduction as an integral part of their development concept of Gross National Happiness.

At the Second Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Reduction in Geneva in June 2009, Senator Legarda challenged world leaders with a call for a new brand of politics and governance - the kind that shepherds proactive laws and policies to address disaster risks. She reiterated this challenge at the 2009 Forum on the Human Impact of Climate Change and at the parliamentary meeting of the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

In July 2009, Senator Legarda led a UNISDR delegation that sealed an agreement between Maldives and UNISDR to define a comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy for the island nation, and find means for the UN and other partners to help the country implement this strategy.

In November 2010, Senator Legarda convened the Consultative Meeting for Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals towards a consensus to undertake concrete actions embodied in the Manila Call for Action 2010.

Senator Legarda, with the UNISDR, spearheaded international dialogues in Paris, Beijing, Geneva, Copenhagen and Hanoi. She is a member of the Global Advisory Group of Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Senator Legarda’s journey on the international level, the prominent role she plays in the Asia-Pacific region, and her advocacy among world leaders and citizens of the Philippines and the region, are recounted in a book entitled Redefining Development: The Living Advocacy of Senator Loren Legarda, as she challenges everyone to promote responsible leadership, good governance and sustainable living.

In the realm of foreign relations, Senator Legarda, as Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, sponsored the approval of 16 international agreements, deepening the Philippines’ bilateral relations with various countries and promoting the welfare of Filipinos in the country and abroad. These agreements are the RP-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation; the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture; the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention, Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts; the Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management to Establish the Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines; the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the Philippines and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; the MLAT between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China; the Consular Agreement with the People's Republic of China; the Convention on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain; the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement Between the Philippines and Australia; the International Labour Organization Convention 189 (Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers); the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006; the Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Philippine Government and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income; two (2) treaties on the Avoidance of Double Taxation – the Philippines – Kuwait Tax Treaty and the Philippines- Qatar Tax Treaty and the Agreement between the Philippine Government and the UNESCO to establish the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD) in the country.

Peacebuilder

Senator Legarda has also contributed to peace efforts. She played a crucial role in the safe and expeditious release of military and police officers and men who were held captive by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and journalists who were held captive in Sulu.

For her outstanding work for the cause of Muslims, she was bestowed the title of Bai a labi(Honorary Muslim Princess) by the Marawi Sultanate league.

Voice of the Indigenous Peoples

Fervently advocating for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and initiating efforts to liberate them from various forms of discrimination, Senator Legarda has become the voice of Filipinos who continue to embrace their cultural roots and heritage.

Her love for tropical fabrics and native products, and her visits to indigenous communities in different parts of the country inspired Loren to initially set-up cultural exhibits that showcased the exceptional skills and world-class products of IPs, and in 2011, in her capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, successfully organized regional assemblies—in Baguio City for Luzon IPs, in Iloilo City for Visayas IPs, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Mindanao IPs—and the First National Indigenous Cultural Summit that served as avenues for dialogue with local and national policy-makers as well as international institutions.

Senator Legarda supported the development of cultural villages of the Ata-Talaingod, Mandaya, B’laan, and Bagobo Tagabawa in various activities of their Schools of Living Traditions. She supported the establishment of the country’s first permanent textile gallery called the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles to celebrate indigenous artistry and revitalize our weaving traditions, as well as the Baybayin Gallery, a permanent gallery that promotes awareness of the writing systems used by ancient Filipinos, both at the National Museum.

In October 2012, she launched the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines with the hope of solving one of the greatest threats to Filipino indigenous artistry – extinction brought about by apathy. The exhibition was a highlight of the Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle Event 2012 and showcased the rich and colourful heritage of Schools of Living Tradition.

As a sign of gratitude for advancing IP concerns, the cultural communities of Mindanao adopted Senator Legarda as “Bae Matumpis,” which means “The one who takes care”.

The Panay-Bukidnon from Visayas declared Senator Legarda as a “daughter of Panay-Bukidnon” and gave her the name “Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan”, which translates to “shining sun rising in power”.

Senator Legarda was also named by the Cordillera Indigenous Elected Women Leaders’ League as “Tukwifi” which means “Bright Star”.

Women and Children’s Rights Champion

Senator Legarda places special interest in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of women, youth, and children. Her legislative efforts resulted in the passage of the Anti-

Violence Against Women and Children Act, Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Child Labor Law, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version, the Expanded Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act.

Apart from her professional work, Loren has taken it upon herself to personally help women and children who have become victims of unfortunate circumstances, like Joseph Boseto and Rodel Morcozo who were both child miners in Camarines Norte. Rodel would search for gold and handle mercury-based chemicals with bare hands, while Joseph used to dive to 30 feet in a narrowly-dug hole filled with murky water with only a pair of goggles to protect his eyes, cotton balls to protect his ears from air pressure, and a tube connected to a compressor as his oxygen source.

Loren helped them escape from the dangerous world of mining by supporting their education—the same assistance she provided to Melinda de Vera, who once lived in a wooden cart and helped her mother sell candies in the streets of Paco, Manila.

Joseph, Rodel, and Melinda are only a few of the many individuals who were freed from child labor and given the opportunity to secure their right to education with the support of Senator Legarda. This opportunity, Loren continues to share with others through her foundations.

Passionate Advocate

Loren has instituted foundations that would focus on delivering positive results on her various advocacies. She established the Libro ni Loren Foundation, Inc. to help improve the literacy level in the country’s poorest provinces. The foundation supports the education of indigent but deserving youth.

She also founded the Bessie Legarda Memorial Foundation, Inc. to provide medical assistance to indigent breast cancer victims and serve as support group to their families. Likewise, she organized the Livelihood Opportunities to Raise Entrepreneurship Nationwide (LOREN) which provides capital for women entrepreneurs.

Top Caliber Journalist

Prior to becoming a public official, Loren was well known as the award-winning anchor and producer of two of the Philippines’ most popular and respected news programs.

As a journalist, Loren earned prestigious awards such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) from the Philippine Jaycees (1992), The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award (1995), and the Benigno Aquino Award for Journalism (1995) for her sterling record as a journalist for more than two decades, among more than 30 awards.

Passion for Excellence

Loren graduated valedictorian in elementary school and completed her secondary schooling with honors at the Assumption Convent. She obtained a degree in broadcast communications cum laudefrom the University of the Philippines.

While working as a broadcast journalist, Loren pursued her post-graduate studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines where she obtained a degree in National Security Administration and graduated at the top of her class. Loren is a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Legarda is a lifetime member of

the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, an international organization that promotes academic excellence and encourages its members to be of service to others.

Family of Public Servants

She was born to a family of newsmen, educators, physicians and public servants. Her paternal great grandfather Potenciano Cabrera was the first Mayor of San Pablo City, Laguna while her maternal great granduncle Vicente Gella was a Governor of Antique. Her grandfather, Jose P. Bautista, was a pillar of Philippine journalism.

Loren was born in Malabon and was raised by an Ilocana yaya whom she fondly calls nanay. She is the eldest and only girl in the family of three children of Antonio Cabrera Legarda and Bessie Gella Bautista

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr.

Having been in public service for over 25 years, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has achieved a distinguished career in government. His electoral journey has allowed him to serve in several positions in both the executive and legislative branches of government. His various stints in government have allowed him to carve his niche in the Philippine’s rich political history.

As a young boy in Manila, Bongbong went to Institucion Teresiana and La Salle Greenhills in Manila where he obtained his kindergarten and elementary education, respectively. Due to his parents’ insistence that he grow up grounded without being overwhelmed by his family’s stature, Bongbong was sent to England where he lived and studied in an all-boys Benedictine abbey, Worth School. Thereafter, he pursued his undergraduate degree, graduating with a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University in England.

In his desire to pursue further studies, Bongbong took up Masters in Business Administration in Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. Though he felt privileged to enter such an esteemed institution, he had to cut his studies short because he was elected Vice-Governor of the province of Ilocos Norte in 1981, at a young age of 23. He succeeded as Governor of the province from 1983 to 1986.

After his family’s return from exile in 1992, Bongbong served as Congressman in the Second District of Ilocos Norte. Among the measures he authored was the landmark law establishing the Philippine Youth Commission. He was also instrumental in advancing the cause of cooperatives by devoting most of his Countryside Development Fund (CDF) to organizing the cooperatives of teachers and farmers in his home province.

From 1998 to 2007, Bongbong served as Governor of Ilocos Norte where he served for three consecutive terms. During his tenure, he transformed Ilocos Norte into a first-class province of international acclaim, showcasing its natural and cultural destination areas. It was also during his stewardship that Ilocos Norte became a pioneer in wind power technology which, to this day, serves as an alternative source of energy not only for the needs of his province, but for the other parts of northern Luzon as well.

In 2007, Bongbong was again elected to Congress, where he was appointed Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. During this term, one of the important pieces of legislation he authored was the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law (Republic Act No. 9522).

In 2010, Bongbong won a seat in the Philippine Senate, placing 7th overall. He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Public Works.

He is married to lawyer Louise Araneta-Marcos with whom he has three sons: Sandro, Simon & Vincent.

Senator Sergio R. Osmeña III

Helping the poor escape from poverty.”

Of Cebuano-Negrense-llonggo ancestry, Sen. Serge Osmeña takes pride that his family has had the honor to have contributed three generations of direct ascendants to the Philippine Senate. Both his grandfathers -- Sergio Osmeña Sr. and Esteban dela Rama -- and his father, Sergio Osmeña Jr., served as senators.

The senator was elected in 1995 and re-elected in 2001 and 2010. He currently chairs the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies and the Committee on Energy.

Senator Osmeña's legislative efforts have been focused on measures that would transform Philippine society into one that would be kinder and gentler to all Filipinos, especially those who have less in life. To promote inclusive economic growth and help the poor escape from poverty, more jobs must be created by the economy. To create jobs, his efforts have consistently been focused on lowering the costs of doing business in the Philippines and reducing the bureaucratic logjam.

Senator Osmeña has authored and/or sponsored numerous economic reform measures, such as the new Insurance Code, the new NEA charter, the new Rural Banks Act which allows foreign capital infusion in rural banks, the Anti-Money Laundering law, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Government Procurement Act, Securities Regulations Code, and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

Senator Osmeña has also earned the reputation of being the Senate's “fearless fiscalizer.” Known to be fiercely independent, his constituents have witnessed his numerous exposes of graft and corruption, among others the P112 billion spent for imported overpriced steel bridges under the President’s Bridges Program (PBP), the many behest loans granted by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), underpriced SSS-Equitable Bank deal, the PNCC-Radstock scam, IMPSA-CBK, PIATCO-Frapport Terminal 3 scam, Marconi Radar and Casecnan power contracts, saving tens of billions of pesos for the Filipino people.

Sen. Serge R. Osmeña III is a farmer and businessman by training and was educated at Harvard College Georgetown University, and the University of the Philippines.

Aquilino Martin “Koko” dela Llana Pimentel III

Resume

PERSONAL

Birthday:

January 20, 1964

Citizenship: FilipinoName of Parents: Father: Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 

    Of Cagayan de Oro City Mother: Lourdes dela Llana Pimentel     Of Zambales

Place of birth: Cagayan de Oro City, PhilippinesStatus: MarriedName of Spouse: Jewel May Lobaton Pimentel 

    Of Bacolod CityName of Children: Aquilino Martin Emmanuel L.

Pimentel VI Aquilino Justo L. Pimentel VII

Profession: Lawyer (Admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1991.) (Topped the 1990 Bar Exams with a grade of 89.85%.)

Occupation: Senator, Republic of the Philippines 2007 - 2013 Term (proclaimed August 11, 2011)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES August 11, 2011 - presentAQUILINO L. PIMENTEL III LAW OFFICE Jan. 1, 2005 - presentCO-ANCHOR, BANTAY OFW, DZXL 558 April 2011 - presentCO-ANCHOR, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, DZXL 558 March 1, 2011 - April 2011PIMENTEL PACURIBOT LAW OFFICES July 2002 - Dec. 31, 2004PIMENTEL YUSINGCO PIMENTEL GARCIA LAW OFFICES

1998 - July 2002

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (Commissioner representing Mindanao)

1995 - 1998

AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR. AND ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE

1992 - 1998

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO – LAKAS NG BAYAN (PDP – LABAN Political Party)

1985 - present President (2010-present) Secretary General (2006-2010) General Legal Counsel (1998-2006) Wrote Party Constitution (2005-2007)

INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES 1991 - presentROTARY CLUB OF MANILA BAY Club President, RY 2005-2006

1995 - present

COUPLES FOR CHRIST 2000 - presentEAST WEST CENTER PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSN. 2002 - presentORO JAYCEES, INC. 2000 - 2004MANILA JAYCEES, INC. 1992 - 2000JUNIOR CHAMBER OF THE PHILIPPINES General Legal Counsel (1998 World Congress) Wrote the JCP Constitution

1992 - 2004

OTHER POSITIONS HELD

Fellow, AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR. INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

July 2010 - present

General Legal Counsel, NATIONAL COMMUTERS COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

July 2010 - present

Legal Resource Person, CATHOLIC MEDIA NETWORK Oct. 2006 - presentLegal Adviser, NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS Sept. 2006 - presentLecturer, HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE BAR EXAMINATIONS 1991 - presentProfessor, FEU Institute of Law - La Salle Business School, JD - MBA Program

June 2006 - August 2011

Professor, UE College of Law 2007 - 2010Consultant, OFFICE OF SENATOR AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL JR.

Sept. 2002 - 2007

President, ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA BAY RY 2005 - 2006Professor, FEU – FERN College of Business Administration and Legal Management

Jan. to April 2005

Director, UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK (UCPB) 1998 - 2000Trustee, UCPB FOUNDATION, INC. 1998 - 2000Commissioner, PREPARATORY COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

Sept. to Dec., 1999

Associate Legal Counsel, JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (JCI)

1997 - 1998

Legal Counsel, JCI WORLD CONGRESS (Manila, Philippines)

1998

SEMINARS/SHORT COURSES ATTENDED

Pre-Judicature Program  Sept. to Oct. 2004

(Phil. Judicial Academy, Supreme Court)Seminar on Practical Arbitration and International Practice (PCCI, CIA-EAB, PDRCI)

 May 2004

Seminar on Drafting Comprehensive Laws to Combat Cybercrime (Senate, House of Representatives, USAID, ITECC)

Jan. 2004

Program on Internet Law, Berkman Center for Internet and Society (Harvard Law School; held in Cambridge, MA, USA)

July 2002

Program on Internet Law, Berkman Center for Internet and Society (Harvard Law School; held in Singapore)

Jan. 2002

Accounting for Non-Accountants (Ateneo BAP Institute of Banking)

Nov. 2001

New Generation Seminar (East West Center, University of Hawaii)

Sept. 1997

Asia Connects / Cherchons l’Asie (held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

Aug. 1997

SCHOOLS ATTENDED (DEGREES EARNED)

University of the Philippines, College of Law (Bachelor of Laws)                  Member, UP Chess Team

1985 – 1990

Ateneo de Manila University, College of Arts and Sciences (Bachelor of Science, Major in Mathematics)                  Member, Ateneo Chess Team

1981 – 1985

Ateneo de Manila University: High School                  Member, Ateneo Chess Team

1977 – 1981

Ateneo de Manila University, Claret School, Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan): Elementary Education and Kindergarten

1969 – 1977

Senator Grace L. Poe

Senator Grace Poe is the daughter of National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. and veteran actress Susan Roces.

She finished high school at Assumption-Makati, where she excelled in oratorical competitions and was named Captain of the Assumption Debating Team. She studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) and Boston College in Massachusetts, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree major in Political Science.

She made Philippine election history by garnering the highest number of votes of more than 20 million in the May 2013 elections. This overwhelming mandate inspires her to work hard towards her father’s dream of uplifting the lives of the Filipino people.

As the chairperson of the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, she championed the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, which was approved on third reading by the Senate on March 10. She believes that the attainment of a just, progressive and lasting peace in the country greatly depends upon the free flow of information to the public.

Sen. Poe is also the first lady senator to serve as chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Over the years, she has spent her career standing for the rights of Filipino people. Making sure everyone especially children has access to quality education and proper nutrition is her major legislative priority that’s why one of the first bills she filed in the Senate was the Free Lunch Program which seeks to provide free lunch to malnourished children in all public schools nationwide.

And true to her “showbiz” roots, Poe has also filed a bill promoting Film Tourism that aims to make the Philippines into a major shooting destination for international films.

As chair of the Movie and Television Regulatory and Classification Board (MTRCB), she advocated “intelligent media viewership” instead of “censorship” and formulated a new, age-appropriate ratings system designed to empower parents to exercise caution and vigilance with the viewing habits of their children.

Senator Vicente C. Sotto III

PERSONAL

Date of Birth: August 24, 1948Hometown: ManilaSpouse: Helen Gamboa SottoChildren: Romina Frances

Diorella Maria Gian Carlo Ciara Anna

Languages and dialects spoken:

English, Pilipino

Father : Marcelino O. SottoMother : Herminia Castelo Sotto, M. D. 

U.P. College of Medicine Class 1935Religion : Catholic

EDUCATION

Elementary: Colegio de San Juan de LetranSecondary: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, ManilaCollege: A.B. English 

Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila

SPECIAL TRAINING, SEMINARS, CONFERENCES

March 2009 High Level Segment and 52nd Commission on Narcotics (CND) 

United Nations Office Vienna, Austria

June 2000 Executive Program for Leaders in Development Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

April 2000 Microsoft Government Leaders’ Conference 2000 Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Oct. 1994 INEOA Conference New York, USA

Nov. 1996 INEOA Conference San Diego, California

June -July 1994 Implementing Decentralization with the Aim of Strengthening Local Self Administration Berlin, Germany

GOVERNMENT POSITIONS HELD

(July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2016)

Senator, Republic of the PhilippinesMajority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines 15th Congress (July 26, 2010)

(2008 July to 2009 November)

Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board, Office of the President

(1992 to 1998) (1998 to 2004)

Senator, Republic of the Philippines Majority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines 12th Congress  (2002 – 2004)Minority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines 12th Congress (2002)Asst. Minority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines 12th Congress (2002)Majority Floor Leader, Commission on Appointments (1998 - 2002)Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Senate of the Philippines (1992 to 1998)Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Services (1998 - 2001)Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology (1999 - 2001) Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Government (1992 to 1998) Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism (1992 to 1998) Chairman, Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs (1996 to 1997) Chairman, Joint Oversight Committee on Local Government Code (1996 to 1998) Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development (1995 - 1996) Chairman, Senate Committee on Rural Development (1995 - 1996)

(1988 to 1992) Vice-Mayor, Quezon CityPresiding Officer, Quezon City Council (1988 – 1992)Chairman, Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (1988 – 1992)

AWARDS AND COMMEMDATIONS

International Award of Honor International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (Sept. 2, 1991 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U. S. A.) 

2nd International Award of Honor (Hall of Fame) International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (Nov. 18, 1996 - Bahia Hotel, San Diego, Calif., U. S. A.) 

Catholic Mass Media Radio Award Archdiocese of Manila For composing the song “Magkaisa” 

International Gold Medalist Ten Pin Bowling 

7 Time National Team Member Philippine Bowling Congress 

2 Time World Cupper Ten Pin Bowling ( 1978 and 1984) 

and other various awards, medals and commendations for music composition, local and international bowling and golf tournaments

MEMBERSHIP IN CIVIC / PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

President Emeritus Founder / 1st Elected President

 Vice-Mayors' League of the Philippines

Member International Narcotic Enforcement Officers AssociationMember International Association of Chiefs of PoliceVice Chairman Citizens' Drugwatch FoundationVice President Vicor Music CorporationFormer Board Member

Araullo University, Nueva Ecija

Former President Ham Radio Philippines

PUBLICATIONS / DISSERTATIONS / SCHOLARLY WORKS

A Vision for A Drug-Free Philippines, April 1994

Drug Free Philippines, A Film Documentary, February 1996

The Filipino: Values and Visions, January 1997

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV

Antonio Fuentes Trillanes IV, or Sonny to his relatives and friends, was born and raised in Caloocan City. He traces his roots to Ligao, Albay in Bicol where his late father, Antonio Sr., grew up. His mother, Estelita, hails from the province of Capiz.

Sonny is 35 years old; born on August 6, 1971. He is married to the former Arlene G. Orejana with two children namely: Francis Seth and Thea Estelle. Their third child, Alan Andrew, died of an illness while he was just twenty-one days old.

He studied at De La Salle University in Manila where he took up BS ECE from 1987 to 1991.

He formally entered into public service in 1991 as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated Cum Laude in 1995, while earning a degree in BS Naval System Engineering. Other awards he received while in PMA are the Mathematics Plaque, Physical Science Plaque, and the Tambuli Award for electrical/electronics engineering.

In 2002, Sonny took up graduate studies at the University of the Philippines and got his masters degree in Public Administration major in Public Policy and Program Management.  For the duration of the masteral program, he received two University Scholar Awards for obtaining two semestral GPAs of 1.0 to 1.25 and a College Scholar Award for obtaining a semestral GPA of 1.25 to 1.50.

After graduating from PMA, Sonny went through all shipboard assignments starting from Mess & Supply Officer; Deck & Gunnery Officer; Engineering & Damage Control Officer; Executive Officer; and, ultimately as Acting Commanding Officer of a patrol gunboat.

During his five-year sea duty experience, his unit apprehended dozens of smugglers, illegal loggers, poachers, human smugglers and illegal fishermen in numerous maritime law enforcement operations conducted in the waters off Batanes, Ilocos, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Scarborough, Quezon, Bicol, Palawan, Mindoro, Romblon, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao and Maguindanao.

Other shore positions he held were: Administrative/Personnel Officer of Philippine Fleet Patrol Force; and Procurement Officer/Instructor, Naval Education & Training Command.

Among the highlights of his military profession, was the daring search and rescue operation for the survivors of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Orient at the height of a super typhoon in 1998. For this act of risking their own lives in the fulfillment of their duty, Sonny and his unit managed to rescue thirty-two (32) survivors.

He was also involved in numerous naval operations in support of ground operations directed against the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements.

As procurement officer of the Naval Training and Education Command, Philippine Navy, Sonny reformed the procurement system, which resulted to the accumulated savings of more than four million pesos in favor of the government.

He has participated in 22 naval exercises conducted with local and foreign navies.

For his meritorious service to his country, Sonny has been awarded a total of 23 assorted merit medals, campaign ribbons and badges.

Finally, during the recent May 14, 2007 mid-term Elections, Sonny successfully launched a nationwide campaign from his prison cell as he ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate on a shoestring budget.  More than 11 million people voted him into office on a strong anti-corruption advocacy.

PERSONAL

Date of Birth: 06 August 1971Hometown: Caloocan CitySpouse: Arlene Orejana TrillanesChildren: Francis Seth O. Trillanes

Thea Estelle O. TrillanesAlan Andrew O. Trillanes (deceased)

EDUCATION

Elementary: Sienna College, Quezon City1975-1983

Secondary: Angelicum School, Quezon City1983-1987

College: BS ECE (4th Year); De La Salle University, Manila 1987-1991BS Naval Systems Engineering; Philippine Military Academy 1991-1995

Awards:

Cum Laude

Mathematics Plaque

Physical Sciences Plaque

Tambuli Award (Electrical/Electronics Engineering)

Graduate: Master in Public Administration major in Public Policy and Program Management; University of the Philippines, Diliman2000-2005

Awards:

two (2) University Scholar Awards (GPA 1.0-1.25)

College Scholar Award (GPA 1.25-1.50)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sea Duty Profile: Mess & Supply OfficerApril 1995-May 1996Deck & Gunnery OfficerMay 1996-January 1998Engineering & Damage Control OfficerJanuary 1998-February 1999Executive OfficerFebruary 1999-January 2000Acting Commanding OfficerJune 1999-January 2000

Shore Duty: Administrative/Personnel Officer (P1), HQ Patrol ForceJune 1999-January 2000Procurement Officer/Instructor, Naval Education & Training CommandJanuary 2000-June 2001

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

He was one of the Navy personnel who risked their lives to rescue thirty-two (32) persons during a daring search and rescue operation for the survivors of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Orient at the height of a super typhoon in 1998.

He has a five-year sea duty experience logging-in a Total Steaming Time (TST) of 2,593 hrs and 47 min and Total Miles Covered (TMC) of 35, 316.78 nautical miles. During which time, his unit was responsible for the apprehension of dozens of smugglers, illegal loggers, poachers, human smugglers and illegal fishermen in numerous maritime law enforcement operations conducted in the waters off Batanes, Ilocos, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Scarborough, Quezon, Bicol, Palawan, Mindoro, Romblon, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Davao and Maguindanao.

He was involved in numerous naval operations in support of ground operations directed against the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements.

As procurement officer of the Naval Training and Education Command, Philippine Navy, he reformed the procurement system, which resulted to the accumulated savings of more than four million pesos in favor of the government.

He has participated in 22 naval exercises conducted with local and foreign navies.

He is a recipient of 23 assorted merit medals, campaign ribbons and badges.

Senator Cynthia  A. Villar

Biography

Cynthia Aguilar Villar earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, which recognized her as one of its Distinguished Alumni in 2004. She completed her Masters in Business Administration at the New York University.

She practiced as a financial analyst and college professor until she married Former House Speaker and Senate President Manny Villar in 1975. She then helped her husband in various entrepreneurial ventures, eventually making Vista Land the biggest homebuilder in the Philippines. She managed a private development bank from 1989 to 1998.

In 2001, Cynthia Villar won in a landslide victory as Representative of Las Piñas to the Philippine’s House of Representatives, where she completed three terms or nine years of service until 2010.

She was Chairman of Committee on Higher and Technical Education during the 13th and 14th congress.

She was President of the Lady Legislators during the 12th, 13th & 14th Congress initiating Legislation benefitting women, children and family.

Cynthia Villar’s social and civic concerns are wide and varied. Thus, in 1992, she founded and chaired the Villar Foundation, the programs of which programs include providing assistance to OFWs, environment protection and livelihood projects, which now have pilot centers in nearly 500 locations all over the country. She served as Managing Director of the foundation until 2012. She is also an Honorary Member of the Philippine Horticultural Society.

In the 2013 Midterm Elections, Cynthia Villar won as Senator of the country. Senator Villar is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food as well as the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises.

Amidst all her achievements and awards, she successfully raised three well-educated children: Paolo is the President of their public company Vista Land; Mark is a Congressman representing the lone district of Las Piñas; and Camille, a former TV host in Wowowillie, who has recently completed her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at IESE Business School.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr.

He followed his father’s footsteps but made a name for himself. 

He is Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., son of former Senator and Philippine Reclamation Authority Chairman Ramon Revilla, Sr. and the late Azucena Mortel Bautista. An icon of a man of action and defender of the poor and the oppressed, this true-blooded Caviteño has brought these silver screen attributes into real life since he officially entered the field of public service in 1995 as vice governor where supported and implemented anti-drug programs as Chairman of the Cavite Multi-Agency Anti- Drug Council (CMAC) which led to the biggest drug haul and apprehension in the Philippines at that time. His anti-drug efforts earned him a Medal of Valor and an International Award of Honor from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association, Inc. He likewise supported environmental protection projects as chairman of Task Force Bantay Likas Yaman. 

In 1998, he became the provincial governor and during his term the image of Cavite was transformed from being a notorious murder capital to one of the most peaceful provinces in the country. He paid attention to the improvement of facilities, equipment and manpower of the Philippine National Police and other public order agencies. 

During the M/V Princess of the Orient tragedy in September 1998, he joined fisherfolks in the abrupt search and rescue operation, pulling bloated bodies from the sea. This exemplary performance of Governor Bong Revilla was given due recognition by the Department of Transportation and Communications. 

He also improved social services in the entire province through various programs and projects with long term benefits such as establishment of the Cavite Rescue 161, Cavite Computer Center, Cavite-Korea Friendship Hospital, Cavite Sports Complex and the Cavite Convention Center. The Proposed Conceptual Provincial Development Plan of Cavite or Vision 2020 was also prepared and presented during this administration. 

Appointed chairman of Videogram Regulatory Board (now Optical Media Board) in 2002, he furiously fought video and music piracy, leaving no stones unturned in running after syndicates and individuals involved in this illegal trade. Under his leadership, the VRB was able to conduct 3480 major operations including routine inspections throughout the country which delivered over 5 Billion pesos worth of goods seized, convicted 21 optical disc pirates, 2 videotape pirates and 5 large-scale distributors and retailers. This accorded him an

international recognition by the Motion Picture Association based in Hollywood, USA. 

From executive posts, he made his way into the legislature by almost garnering the most number of senatorial votes in the 2004 elections. Though then just a neophyte lawmaker, Senator Bong Revilla headed two important committees during the 13th Congress, namely the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media and the Senate Committee on Public Works. Through his chairmanship of the latter, he fought corruption in the government. He exposed over-delayed completion of infrastructure projects and recommended the sacking of irresponsible DPWH officials. Also during the said Congress when he pushed for the lowering of amusement taxes slapped on movies which paved the way for revival of the then struggling local film industry. In his first three years in the Upper House, he was the senator who has the most number of bills passed into law. 

Being a legislator did not stop his being a man of action. Rather than confining himself to legislative duties inside the walls of the Senate, he continued to reach out further to the needy especially those in the far-flung barangays nationwide through his Kalusugan Ating Pangalagaan medical assistance program and Karunungan Ating Palaguin educational assistance program. Aside from these undertaking, he also conducts on-site inspections on damaged government infrastructure and relief operations, under his Kaagapay sa Araw ng Pangangailangan program, even during the darkest height of calamities and away from the spotlight. For him, services and benefits must surely be felt by the people. 

During the 14th Congress, Senator Bong Revilla pushed his travel safety advocacies both as chairman of the Senate Committees on Public Works and on Public Services. Among his remarkable accomplishments then is his exposé on sex video scandal and the passage of his pet bill, the Mandatory Helmet Act, which obliged all motorcycle riders, including the backriders, to wear standard protective helmet to reduce the alarming motorcycle-related accidents in the country. Because of the said road safety measure, he was named Safety Ambassador both by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Suzuki Philippines Inc. 

In 2010, the reelectionist senator became the candidate who gathered the most number of votes in Philippine electoral history. With 19,513,521 votes based on the official count of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), he even surpassed the votes garnered by the elected president. At the present 15th Congress, he continues to pursue social justice, travel safety, lower tax, community empowerment and infrastructure development. He is also pushing for the passage of his separate bills that would grant P125 daily across- the- board increase in the salary of workers in the private sector and P6, 000 wage increase for government employees. 

With his outstanding accomplishments and proven track record in public administration and legislation, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. devotedly broke the notion that showbiz personalities cannot become good government leaders. Because of his performance as public servant, he was conferred doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration by the Cavite State University and in Humanities by the Nueva Vizcaya University.