Senator Ping Lacson

Filipinos came to know him for his sterling and "no non-sense" leadership as Chief of the Philippine National Police.

As chief policymaker of the police organization, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson was responsible for the serious reforms in the PNP that had won the confidence of businessmen and foreign investors and the cooperation of the general public when he initiated closer coordination with other law enforcement agencies, here and abroad, in the fight against narcotics trafficking through supply constriction and demand reduction.

All of these were accomplished to bring back the old glory of the policeman.

The Filipino people rewarded Senator Lacson with a Senate seat in the May 2001 elections for his sterling performance as a public servant.

Born out of humble beginnings on June 1, 1948, in Imus, Cavite, Senator Lacson finished grade school at the Bayang Luma Elementary School and high school at the Imus Institute. Before he entered the PMA in 1967, he took up AB Philosophy at the Lyceum.

He carried the family name with pride and grew up to be a man of principles. His fascination with principles became more deeply embedded when he entered the PMA. He nourished these principles at the Philippine Constabulary, which he joined after graduating from the PMA.

He then joined the Philippine Constabulary - Integrated National Police Anti-Carnapping Task Force in 1986, and in 1988, be became the provincial commander of Isabela until 1989. That same year, he became provincial director of Laguna and held the post until July 1992.

As a legislator, Senator Lacson has learned fast and with certainty to carry the broad struggle of the Filipinos by heart. As a public servant, he has faithfully observed a personal credo - What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.

He primarily authored the Anti-Money Laundering Control Act of 2001, the Alternative Youth Training Course, an optional program for college students, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2001.

To date, Senator Lacson is working on legislation to fight the problem of terrorism through the passage of the Anti-Terrorism bill and to alleviate the condition of various sectors of society including students, contractual workers, barangay tanods, police, military and fire protection personnel.

PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

A. Master in Government Management Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (1995-1996)
B. Bachelor of Science Philippine Military Academy (1967-1971)
C. BS Engineering Lyceum of the Philippines (1964-1967)
D. High School Imus Institute (1960-1964)
E. Grade School Bayang Luma Elementary School (1954-1960)

CAREER AS PUBLIC SERVANT

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A SENATOR IN 12TH & 13TH CONGRESS

A. BILLS ENACTED INTO LAW

B. One of the principal authors of the following laws:

• Republic Act No. 9160, as amended by Republic Act 9194, otherwise known as the Anti-Money Laundering Act
• Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001
• Republic Act No. 9166, An Act Increasing the Base Pay of the Members of the AFP
• Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003

C. One of the co-authors of the following laws:

D. Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

E. Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as the Absentee Voting Act

F. Republic Act No. 9287, otherwise known as the Anti-Jueteng and Illegal Numbers Game

G. ENROLLED BILLS (FOR THE SIGNATURE OF THE PRESIDENT)

• Anti-Cheating Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 2512) - Main Author & Sponsor
• Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 2561) - Main Author & Sponsor
• The Philippine Dental Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 2581) - Main Sponsor
• An Act Reorganizing the Public Attorney’s Office (Senate Bill No. ) - One of the Principal Authors

H. BILLS PENDING FOR BICAMERAL CONFERENCE

• Senate Bill No. 2597, An Act Amending the RA 9280 or the Customs Brokers Act of 2004

I. COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP & MEMBERSHIP

Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization

Member of the following Committees:

• Committee on National Defense
• Blue Ribbon Committee
• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Committee on Trade and Commerce
• Committee on Local Government
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs
• Committee on Public Services
• Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws
• Committee on Ways and Means
• Committee on Labor and Employment
• Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
• Committee on Agriculture
• Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports

J. Member of the following Senate Oversight Committees:

• Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement
• Oversight Committee on the Dangerous Drugs Act
• Congressional Oversight Committee on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program

K. COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

• Chairman of the Committee on Justice and the Judicial Bar Council (February 2003 - December 2005)
• Member of all the standing Committees in the CA (February 2003 - December 2005)
• Assistant Minority Floor Leader in the CA (2005)

L. INVESTIGATIONS INITIATED

• The IMPSA investigation - 2002
• The Jose Pidal investigation - 2003
• The Jueteng investigation - 2005
• The Textbook Scam investigation - 2006 - 2007

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS CHIEF OF PNP

• Achieved 58% public approval rating for PNP, the highest in PNP’s history, and 78% approval rating for himself.
• Improved police efficiency by downloading 85% of PNP’s logistics to town and city police stations.
• Succeeded in eradicating "Kotong" culture among policemen, and earned moniker "Kotong-Buster" from jeepney, taxi, bus and delivery truck drivers, farmers, market vendors, etc.
• Instituted "No-Take" policy.
• Instilled discipline in the national police force and raised morale of officers.
• Stopped "carnapping" of recovered stolen vehicles by corrupt police officers.
• Founded the PNP Foundation Inc.
• Helped improve Asian regional police network in combating manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs in the country and in the region.

POLICE/MILITARY TRAINING/ SCHOLARSHIP COURSE

MEDALS/AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS/CITATIONS RECEIVED

17 Military Merit Medals, 3 Medalya ng Kadakilaan, 3 Medalya ng Kagalingan, 2 Outstanding Achievement Medals, 5 Military Commendation Medals, 5 Bronze Cross Medals, 2 Medalya ng Papuri, Luzon Campaign Medal, Visayan Campaign Medal, Combat Efficiency Medal

Special Citations from

Philippine College of Rotary Governor, Rotary Club of Manila, Lions President League of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry, VACC, Manila Downtown Y’s Men’s Club, Council of Past Lions Governors of the Philippines, Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Cebu Bankers Club, Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, Metro Cebu Uptown Jaycees, Rotary Club of San Fernando (LU), Assusasyon ng Kumentarista at Announcer ng Pilipinas, Pugad Lawin Philippines, Inc., Police Cavaliers Association, Inc., National Police Commission, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, PMA Class ‘71 (MATATAG), Rotary Club of Kaloocan, Rotary Club of Metro Cebu, Rotary Club of Cebu West, Rotary Club of Cebu Port Center, Rotary International District 390, Rotary Club of Binan, Direct Commission Batch ‘71 PNPC Chapter, KBP Metro Manila Chapter. Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker at the Commencement Exercises of Bicol University, Daraga, Albay.

PERSONAL DICTUM

What is right must be kept right. What is wrong must be set right.

Rodrigo Roa Duterte^[1] (b. March 28, 1945 in Maasin, Leyte)^[2] is the mayor of the city of Davao City, Philippines. He was first elected 1989 and reelected 1992 and 1995. In 1998, he ran for the House of Representatives and won as Congressman for the 1^st District of Davao City in Manila until 2001. In 2001, he ran again for mayor in Davao and was again elected for his fourth term. He was reelected in 2004 and in 2007.^[3]

Under Duterte’s leadership, Davao City experienced relative peace and stability, ushering an unprecedented economic boom. The city’s crime rate dropped dramatically that tourism organizations in the city claim that Davao is "the most peaceful city in Southeast Asia".^[3] Duterte, who has been dubbed "The Punisher" by Time magazine,^[3] has been criticized by human rights groups and by Amnesty International for tolerating extra-judicial killings of alleged criminals.^[3][4][5][6] Duterte has always denied any direct involvement in these frequent killings.^[7]

On December 15, 2007, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte led local officials in opening the P 72-M People’s Park (old PTA Park) in Davao City, which features a mini-forest and large sculptures representing indigenous groups in Southern Mindanao.^[8]

2010 Wish List

On January 21, 2008, Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita, a vice chair of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats released the WISH LIST of 2010 possible senatorial candidates:

• Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita
• Deputy Speakers Raul del Mar of Cebu
• Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao
• House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor of Iloilo
• House budget panel chair Edcel Lagman of Albay
• Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles, head of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, and
• Former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay

• Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte
• Palawan Governor Joel Reyes
• Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte and
• Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.^[9]

Duterte howerver denied that he was running for Senator.^[10]

MARGARITO “GARY” B. TEVES

             Mr. Teves’ affiliations include chairmanship of several LBP-affiliated corporations, People’s Credit and Finance Corporation and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.   He is a council member of the National Food Authority and Food Terminal, Inc.  He is also a board member of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and PhilEquity Fund, Inc.  

             Before his stint as a banker, Mr. Teves was connected with the economic forecasting agency Think Tank, Inc. where he served as Chairman and CEO from July 1998 to August 2000. 

             His political career started on July 1987 when he was elected as Congressional representative of the 3 the 3^rd District of Negros Oriental.  Mr. Teves, the lawmaker, crafted several laws and bills, including Republic Act 7221 that liberalized the entry and scope of operations of foreign banks in the country, Republic Act 6911 or the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises and Republic Act 8293, an Act amending the Patents, Trademarks and Copyright Laws of the country.  He also authored the law that amended parts of the National Internal Revenue Code, and the law that established the Overseas Investment Fund to provide incentives to overseas workers & reduce foreign debt.

             Mr. Teves also took part in crafting the New Central Bank Act (RA 7653), in creating the Cooperative Development Authority (RA 6939) and the restructuring of the excise tax on petroleum products (RA 8184).

             While in Congress, Mr. Teves became chairman of the Committee on Rural Development and the Committee on Economic Affairs. He also became a member of several Standing and Special committees. After serving three consecutive terms, his tenure in Congress ended on June 1998. 

             His service to civil society involved past presidency of the Philippine Economic Society and member of the Makati Business Club.  He founded the Corporate Planning Society of the Philippines and was also a former trustee of the Philippine Futuristics Society. 

             Mr. Teves took up Bachelor of Arts at the Universidad Central de Madrid, Spain in 1961.  He earned his diploma in Higher Education Diploma in Business Studies in 1965 at the City of London College in England. In 1968, he finished his master’s degree in Development Economics from Williams College, Massachusetts, USA.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CURRENT POSITION

• Secretary, Department of Finance 
• Governor for the Philippines, World Bank Group
• Governor for the Philippines, Asian Development Bank
• Alternate Governor for the Philippines, International Monetary Fund
• Governor for the Philippines, International Fund for Agricultural Development
• Chairman, Land Bank of the Philippines
• Chairman, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Chairman, Trade & Investment Development Corporation of the Philippines
• Chairman, Home Guaranty Corporation
• Chairman, National Power Corporation
• Chairman, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation
• Chairman, National Transmission Corporation
• Chairman, NEDA-ICC Committee
• Chairman, Privatization Council
• Co-Chair, Capital Market Development Council-

PREVIOUS POSITION

• President and Chief Executive Officer, Land Bank of the Philippines

(September 1, 2000 – July 15, 2005)

• Chairman, LBP Insurance Brokerage, Inc.
• Chairman, LBP Leasing Corporation
• Chairman, LBP Countryside Development Foundation
• Chairman, LBP Realty Development Corporation
• Chairman, Masaganang Sakahan, Inc.
• Chairman, LBP Financial Services SpA
• Chairman & President, LBP Remittance Co. USA
• Chairman, Management Committee, National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF)
• Chairman, People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC)
• Chairman, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)
• President, APRACA-CENTRAB
• Council Member, National Food Authority
• Council Member, Food Terminal, Inc.
• Member, Board of Directors, Manila Electric Company
• Member, Board of Directors, PhilEquity Fund Inc.
• Member, Asia Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA)
• Member, Asean Finance Corporation
• Member, Bankers Association of the Philippine

• Delegate, 1971-72, Constitutional Convention
• Representative, 3^rd District, Negros Oriental (3 terms), July 1987- June 1998, Philippine House of Representatives
• Private Sector Representative, Economic Coordinating Council (ECC)
• Coordinator for the Council of Senior Advisers (CSA) and the private sector (ECC)
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Think Tank, Inc.
• Chairman, Asia Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA)
• Commissioner, Preparatory Commission on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR)
• Member, Board of Governors, Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
• Member, Eminent Persons Group, Export Development Council
• Resident Manager, Tolong Sugar Milling Co., Inc.
• Member, Board of Directors, Bankers Association of the Philippines
• Member, Board of Directors, Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation
• Member, Board of Directors, Lifetime Plans Inc.
• Member, Board of Directors, Asean Finance Corporation
• Member, Board of Directors, Ayala Foundation Inc.
• Member, Board of Directors, Solid Bank Corporation
• Member, Board of Directors, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company Inc.
• Member, Board of Governors, Philippine Stock Exchange Inc.
• Member, Board of Directors, Philippine Economic Society
• Member, Board of Directors, Alsons Cement Corporation
• Member, Eminent Persons Group, Export Development Council
• Member, Board of Directors, Center for Legislative Development Inc.

MEMBERSHIP IN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES (1987 - 1998)

• Chairman, Committee on Rural Development
• Chairman, Committee on Economic Affairs
• Senior Vice-Chairman, Committee on Agriculture & Food
• Member, Standing Committees:

- Appropriations

- Ways & Means

- Economic Affairs

- Banks & Financial Intermediaries

- Government Enterprises

• Member, Special Committees:

- Food Security

- Savings Mobilization

- Export Promotion

- Poverty Alleviation

- Reforestation

EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP (1987- 1998)

• Member, Joint Legislative-Executive Development Authority Council (LEDAC)
• Member, Joint Legislative-Executive Agricultural commission (AGRICOM)
• Member, Coordinating Council, Philippine Assistance program 91992)
• Observer, Paris Club and Commercial Bank Negotiations (1991)
• Observer, Philippine Debt Negotiations Panel (1990)

MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PRINCIPAL AUTHOR

BANKING & FINANCIAL REFORMS

CAPITAL MARKET REFORMS

ENHANCING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS & INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS

PROVIDING SAFETY NETS & ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS

PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

TAX REFORMS

PRINCIPAL CO-AUTHOR

BANKING & FINANCIAL REFORMS

ENHANCING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS & INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS

PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

PROVIDING SAFETY NETS & ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS

SOCIAL REFORM

TAX REFORMS

MEMBERSHIP IN CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

• President, Philippine Economic Society (1994-1995)
• Founder, Corporate Planning Society of the Philippines
• Member, Makati Business Club
• Former Trustee, Philippine Futuristics Society

EDUCATION

• Master of Arts (MA) in Development Economics

Center for Development Economics

Williams College, Massachusetts, USA

1961-1968

• Higher National Diploma in Business Studies

(equivalent to Bachelor of Science in Business Economics)

City of London College, London, England

1962-1965

• Bachelor of Arts (Units)

Universidad Central de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

1961-1962

PERSONAL DATA

Vice President Noli De Castro 

Manuel "Noli" Leuterio de Castro, Jr. (born July 6, 1949) is a politician and former broadcast journalist in the Philippines. De Castro was elected Senator in 2001 and was elected as Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines in 2004. He is also the current secretary for housing and urban development. He is the first independent Senatorial topnotcher and the first elected independent Vice-President.

On January, 2008, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) directory officially listed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s personal advisers and assistants (undersecretaries, directors and assistant secretaries) in the total of 54. These exclude those under the offices of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and their bureaus and agencies attached to the Office of the President. Vice President Noli de Castro’s office pays only 3 officials: a chief of staff, an assistant chief of staff and a director for administration and finance.^[1]

EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND

v      Present Positions

·         Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines

·         Presidential Adviser on Housing and HUDCC Chairman

      As HUDCC Chairman:

Ø       Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), National Housing Authority (NHA)

Ø       Chairman of the Board of Trustees (Ex-officio), Home Development and Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)

Ø       Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), National Home Mortgage and   Finance Corporation (NHMFC)

Ø       Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (Ex-officio), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)

Ø       Vice–Chairman of the Board of Directors (Ex-officio), Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC)

·         Vice Chairman-National Anti Poverty Commission

·         Presidential Assistant for OFW

v      Past Positions

·         Senator –Topnotch Legislator

Elected No. 1 Senator in 2001 Elections with more than 16 million votes, highest in the history of Philippine elections-2001- 2004

     As Senator he became Chairman of 3 Senate Committees:

1.      Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
Senate committee which has power and general jurisdiction over all matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution on social justice.

2.      Committee on Tourism
Senate committee which has power and general jurisdiction overa all matters relating to tourism and the tourist industry.

3.      Committee on Cultural Communities
Senate committee in charge of all matters relating to cultural communities.

Sen. Noli De Castro also successfully chaired and defended for two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) the General Annual Appropriations Act as Vice-Chairman for the Office of the President and other Executive Offices, Office of the Vice President, and Department of Tourism.

·         Vice President, DZMM-July 1999-Feb. 2001

·         Production Head-TV Patrol, ABS-CBN-Jan. 1999-Feb. 2001

·         Exec. Editor & Host, MGB, ABS-CBN-Aug. 1988-Feb. 2001

·         Anchorman/Exec. Production Head/Editor, TV Patrol, ABS-CBN, Jan. 1987-Feb. 2001

·         Host, Magandang Umaga-ABS-CBN, Jan. 1987-June 1988

·         Segment Host, Good Morning Phils.- ABS-CBN, Oct.-Dec. 1986

·         Anchorman, DZMM-July 1986-Feb. 2001

·         Overseas Unlimited, 1988

·         Announcer, RPN DWWW, 1982-Feb. 1986

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Author of 252 bills and resolutions, 140 of which he principally authored, including bills which, propose:

1. Upgrading the Salary of Public School Teachers (SBN 404),
2. Scholarship to Underpriviledged but Deserving Students (SBN 395),
3. Creation of Pre-Need Protection Fund (SBN 2288),
4. Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SBN 1786),
5. Sectoral Representatives in Local Legislative Councils (SBN 2432),
6. Protection of Mangrove Forest (SBN 2264),
7. Unemployment Welfare Program (SBN 408),
8. Newborn Screening Test (SBN 1946),
9. Patient Rights Act (SBN 2528),
10. Household Helpers Act (SBN 2618),
11. Alternative Dispute Resolution Act (SBN 2411),
12. Transparency and Access to Official Information (SBN 2631),
13. Prohibiting Pyramid Schemes (SBN 2512),
14. Magna Carta for Social Workers (SBN 2033).

13 BILLS AUTHORED

1. RA 9161
   “Rental Regulation Act”
2. RA 9163
   “National Service Training Program” (“ROTC ACT”)
3. RA 9165
   “Dangerous Drugs Act”
4. RA 9166
   “Increasing the rate of base pay of the Armed Forces of the Philippines”
5. RA 9174
   “Balikbayan Program”
6. RA 9177
   “Shawwal as National Holiday”
7. RA 9184
   “Government Procurement Act”
8. RA 9208
   “Trafficking in Persons”
9. RA 9225
   “Dual Citizenship Act”
10. RA 9238
    “Amendment to VAT LAW”
11. RA 9239
    “Optical Media Act”
12. SBN 2723
    “Domestic Violence” (Conference Committee Approved by the Senate)
13. SBN 2730
    “Philippine Deposit Insurance Act” (Conference Committee Approved by the Senate)

BILLS AS MAIN AUTHOR- PENDING SIGNATURE OF THE PRESIDENT (PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES)

1. EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2003
2. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONACT OF 2003 (Passed by both Houses)
3. NEWBORN SCREENING TEST
4. QUARANTINE ACT

LAWS CO-AUTHORED IN SENATE

1. RA 9160
   “Money Laundering Law”
2. RA 9175
   “Chain Saw Act”
3. RA 9188
   “Increasing the percentage Distribution of General and Flag Ranks in the AFP”
4. RA 9201
   “National Human Rights Consciousness Week”
5. RA 9211
   “No Smoking Act”
6. SBN 2636
   “Benigno S. Aquino Day” (Passed by both Houses)

BILLS SPONSORED

1. RA 9174
   “Balikbayan Program”
2. SBN 2395
   “Expanded Senior Citizens Actof 2003” (Pending Signature of the President)

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS  RECEIVED

Diploma                 Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa)

                             Central Luzon State University

                             April 14, 2005

                             Science City, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija                      

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

·         College

BSC-Major in Banking & Finance

University of the East-Manila

1971

·         High School

      Pola Catholic High School

·         Elementary

      Pola Central Elem. School

PERSONAL INFORMATION

          Birthdate                 :        July 6, 1949

          Name of Spouse       :        Arlene Sinsuat-De Castro

Name of Children       :        Manueli De Castro-Arcaya

                                                Katherine De Castro-Cruz

                                                Shamier De Castro                                

          Religion                   :        Roman Catholic

Former Senator Loren Legarda

STATESWOMAN.

LEGISLATOR. During her six-year term as senator, Loren authored and co-authored 291 bills and proposed 124 resolutions, which was quite a record for a non-lawyer. Thirteen of her bills were enacted into law, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, while 41 of her resolutions were adopted by the chamber.

Loren’s dedication as a legislator brought forth the passage of many laws of national significance, including the Clean Air Act, the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act, the law increasing the base pay and benefits of AFP officers and enlisted personnel, the Overseas Absentee Voting Act, the Anti-Smoking Law, the Anti-Child Labor Law, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, the Anti-Domestic Violence Act, the Tropical Fabric Law, and a law declaring Eid Ul Fitr (an Islamic celebration marking the end of Ramadan) a national holiday. She was bestowed the title of Bai alibi (Honorary Muslim Princess) by the Marawi Sultanate league for her outstanding work for the cause of Muslims.

For her outstanding record as a legislator, Loren was recognized not only locally but also internationally. The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, named her as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow (GLTs) for the year 2000. In 2001, she was awarded by the United Nationals Environmental Program (UNEP) in Turin, Italy, for her significant contributions for the protection of the environment.

PEACEMAKER. Loren has been a crusader for national unity and social justice. She has earned praise for her tireless work as a peace broker and for her effort to bring warring factions to talk peace through formal negotiations. 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).

CITIZEN AND CIVIC LEADER. Loren is well known for her advocacies and civic undertakings in various fields encapsulated in the initials L.O.R.E.N. The acronym stands for Law and Order, Rights of Women, Youth and Children, Education, Environment and Employment; and Nationalism.

Loren’s biggest project in the environmental field is the Luntiang Pilipinas (Greening of the Philippines) Foundation, which she has founded. In partnership with other organizations, Luntiang Pilipinas has planted over two million trees. As a UNEP laureate, Loren is part of a global network of environmentalists assisting the UN organization in caring for the Earth’s resources. She also received the Priyadarshni Academy in Mumbai India for her exemplary contributions in the environment.

To improve access to education in the rural areas, Loren organized the Libro ni Loren Foundation, providing textbooks and other reading materials as well as scholarships to underprivileged children. She founded the Bessie Legarda Memorial Foundation which helps indigent breast cancer victims.

EDUCATION. An achiever all her life, Loren completed her primary and secondary schooling at the Assumption with honors. She obtained a degree in broadcast communication, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, the country’s premier university. While working as a journalist, Loren pursued further 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, receiving gold medals for both Academic Excellence and Best Thesis. Loren is now a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

LOREN BAUTISTA LEGARDA is the only daughter of Antonio Cabrera Legarda of San Pablo, Laguna and Manila, and the late Bessie Gella Bautista of Antique and Malabon. She is the granddaughter of one of the late pillars of Philippine journalism, Jose P. Bautista, editor-in-chief of the pre-Martial Law Manila Times.

Senator Jinggoy 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 Mar Roxas

His concerns are national and his range international. His consistent performance as an exemplary public official has elevated him with the stature of a respected global leader. The Singapore government chose him as the 16th Lee Kuan Yew Fellow and the World Economic Forum acknowledged him as ‘one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow who is expected to shape the future.’ ‘One of the young leaders in politics and business who will bring Asia and the Pacific to the forefront of world affairs’ was how the international community described him.

Mar Roxas stamped his mark early at the House of Representatives where, as a congressman, he espoused consumer protection, underscoring the right of every Filipino to affordable medicines, as his personal advocacy.

This consumerist crusade found a larger expression in ‘Presyong Tama, Gamot Pampamilya’ program which he launched during his tenure as trade and industry secretary. The program benefited millions of Filipinos in need of effective but cheaper medicines. In the Senate, this crusade continues with Mar’s authorship of Senate Bill No. 2139, which seeks to lower the cost of medicines by amending the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. With the approval of this bill, prices of quality medicines are expected to drop resulting in savings for the poor, and better health for all.

Nursing back the economy to robust health through education, information technology, job creation, and development of small and business enterprises are his other passions, reflected in his work as chairperson of the Senate Committees on Trade and Commerce and on Economic Affairs and as co-chairperson of the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Electronic Commerce Law.

His heart goes for consumers who are shortchanged in buying, among others, defective and substandard products. Thus, he initiated inquiries, with the end in view of strengthening the Consumer Code of the Philippines, on such legislative proposals as the ‘Lemon Law’, proper labeling of milk, toys, and food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and stronger safeguards against pyramiding and other similar scams.

When the pre-need industry succumbed to a mismanagement-spawned financial crisis, which threatened to wipe out the investments of thousands of consumers in pre-need plans, he filed a bill, the Pre-Need Act of 2005, to improve and strengthen industry regulation and safeguard consumer interest. Senator Mar’s leadership at the time provided pre-need plan holders a veritable lifeline.

Guided by lofty ideals yet gifted with the common touch, Mar Roxas adheres to the philosophy of ‘palengkenomics’, which considers the palengke as the economy’s weathervane and the mirror by which its over-all health can be seen and measured.

Senator Mar conducts weekly monitoring of the prices of prime commodities and maintains strong linkages with suppliers, traders, and vendors in the different wet markets. “Price is an important economic indicator. It is a crucial determinant of activity in the market place,” he said.

Information and communications technology has found in Mar Roxas a staunch advocate. Hailed as the ‘Father of the Call Center and Business Process Outsourcing Industries’, he saw—and cultivated—the potential of the Philippines as a global e-services hub. As trade and industry secretary, he launched ‘Make IT Philippines’ and organized the first IT-enabled services (ITES) to the US which inevitably led to the biggest global industry names to invest in the country, thereby creating thousands of jobs for Filipino IT workers.

In education, he authored the ‘PCs for Public Schools Project’ to provide student and teachers IT access. To date, the program has distributed 30,000 computers to over 2,000 public high schools nationwide, opening doors on hands-on computer training to 500,000 students yearly and reducing the computer backlog in public high schools by more than half, from 69 percent to 31 percent.

For Roxas, the exercise of public leadership entails accountability and transparency which should bring about people empowerment. He has called for a paradigm shift in policy-making, rejecting incrementalism, or the tingi mentality, which has resulted to ‘doing a little bit of everything to please a little bit of everyone.’

“People can hardly feel the impact of incrementalism. Government must target the people’s most pressing concerns and focus its resources on completely addressing these problems. We can’t be doing what we used to do in the past simply because if we did, there is no reason to expect that the future would be any different,” he says.

He complements his youth and dynamism by listening to the voices of the common Filipino, reaching out to them through personal interaction, the media, and various IT tools. His website, www.marroxas.com, is a sampler of his IT inclination, an interactive site that dispenses user-friendly information and serves as repository of public sentiment.

Mar Roxas has distinguished himself as a public servant in his own unique way, following the imprints of his forbears yet with the courage and competence to carve his own path as a national leader.