Guests of Honor - Department of National Defense

Press Kit
Profiles of
Guests of Honor &
Special Guest
Page 1 of
Press Kit
Profile of the Guest of Honor & Speaker
LTGEN. HERNANDO DCA IRIBERRI, AFP
Commanding General, Philippine Army
LIEUTENANT GENERAL HERNANDO DCA IRIBERRI, AFP is the 56th Commanding
General of the Philippine Army upon his assumption of the position on 07 February
2014.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Matikas" Class of 1983, LtGen.
Iriberri is a military officer known for his leadership, wealth of experience, and
exemplary performance in all the high-level and sensitive positions he has handled,
both in the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Prior to his designation as the 56th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, he
was the 22nd Commander of the Army's 7th Infantry Division. He commanded the
503rd Infantry Brigade in the Cordillera region, and served as Chief of United Command
Staff , Southern Luzon Command. He was also designated as Senior Military Assistant
to the Secretary of National Defense, Department of National Defense.
Most of LtGen. Iriberri's combat duties was in Mindanao. As a young lieutenant, he served as Platoon Leader of Delta
Company, Executive Officer of Alpha Company, and Company Commander of Bravo Company, all under the 23rd
Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division.
In 2002 to 2004, he commanded the 25th Infantry Battalion that was then deployed in Cotabato and Davao area. In
1995, he led the Task Group Panther of the elite First Scout Ranger Regiment.
Relatedly, LtGen. Iriberri has been an excellent staff officer having served in various capacities as Chief, Operations
Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, OJ3, AFP; Chief of Staff, Philippine Military Academy;
Executive Assistant to the Commanding General, Philippine Army; Head Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, AFP;
and Chief of the Military Operations Department, Training and Doctrine Command.
In 2000, he also served as the Chief of the Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs and designated as the Army
Spokesperson. Early on his career, he has also been exposed to intelligence work, having been assigned with the Office
of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, OJ2, GHQ, and detailed for a while with the National Intelligence
Coordinating Agency.
In his continued pursuit for knowledge and desire to learn and improve his craft, he finished several courses, both local
and foreign. Most notable of which are the Strategic Human Resource Management Course at the Asian Institute of
Management, International Visitor Leadership Program at the United States Department of State, United Nations Staff
Officer Course in Sweden, Master of Management in Defense Studies at the University of Canberra in Australia, and the
Australian Command and Staff Course also in Canberra, Australia.
Throughout his 34 years in active military service, he was conferred with numerous awards, medals, commendations
and recognitions. He is a recipient of five Distinguished Service Stars, two Gold Cross Medals, one Bronze Cross Medal,
several Military Merit Medals and Military Commendation Medals.
He was born in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on April 22, 1960. LtGen. Iriberri is happily married to Ms. Agnes Carolina
Samson-Iriberri with whom he has two daughters and two sons.
Page 18
Press Kit
Profile of the Guest of Honor & Speaker
HONORABLE VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN
Secretary of National Defense
A son of a veteran and a veteran himself, Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin is the 35th
Secretary to lead the country’s Defense Department.
Secretary Gazmin holds a long list of notable achievements and recognitions to qualify
him for the position as the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND). In
fact, he is included in the roster of the most bemedalled Philippine Army officers. He
has gained the most coveted awards such as the Philippine Legion of Honor,
Distinguished Conduct Star, Distinguished Service Star, a Gold Cross Medal, a Bronze
Cross Medal, numerous Military Merit Medals, Military Commendation Medals and a lot
more. He was accorded the Cavalier Award for Outstanding Achievements in Combat
by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Association Incorporated in 1984.
Prior to his appointment as DND head, Secretary Gazmin was the Ambassador of the
Philippines to Cambodia from 2002 to 2004.
It was unexpected that Secretary Gazmin would become the country’s top soldier and later, the Defense Secretary.
Born on October 22, 1944 in Moncada, Tarlac, the young Gazmin was treading on a different route far from becoming a
soldier. When he reached college, he pursued Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines.
For some reason, a persistent calling for him to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) surfaced on his second year
in college. Perhaps it was due to the influence of his father, the late BGEN SEGUNDO L. GAZMIN, AFP (Ret.) who served
in the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) under the 2nd Battalion, 91st Division during World War II. The
older Gazmin was Regimental Commander in the defense of Bataan, survivor of the Bataan Death March in 1942, and a
guerrilla resistance leader of World War II who became a General of the Philippine Constabulary.
Upon graduating from the PMA in 1968, Secretary Gazmin served as Team Leader of the Home Defense Forces Group
(A) and in various intelligence units of the Philippine Army. He then rose through the ranks to command major Philippine
Army units, having the distinction of commanding three Battalions namely the 45th Infantry Battalion in 1978, the 26th
Infantry Battalion in 1980 and later the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion in Mindanao.
Then more crucial duties and responsibilities landed on Secretary Gazmin’s shoulders. In 1986, he was given a crucial
challenge to head the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of then President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. He proved once
again, his prowess when his group foiled seven coup d’etat attempts staged by renegade soldiers. One of these
attempts was the bloodiest – 1989.
Capping his distinguished military career was his appointment as the 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army
in July 1999 which he held until October 22, 2000. During his tenure, he left a legacy that gave meaning and substance to
the various thrusts that he envisioned for the Philippine Army, which zeroed in on leadership development, proper force
mix, modernized equipment and systems, quality and well-motivated soldiers, training and doctrine development and
active involvement in the Army’s non-traditional roles.
Secretary Gazmin is married and has two sons.
Page 19
Press Kit
Profile of the Military Host
General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, AFP
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
General Gregorio "Greg" Pio Punzalan Catapang Jr. assumed the post as the 42nd Vice
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on May 16, 2014. Prior to this, he
served as the 24th Commander of the Northern Luzon Command, AFP starting July 5,
2013.
Source: AFP
Some of his professional military training include: Intel Officers Basic Course at the SITS,
ISAFP in 1982; Infantry Officers Advance Course at Combat Arms School, TCPA in 1992;
Command and General Staff Course at the Training and Doctrine Command at Fort
Bonifacio in 2002; Australian and Military Familiarization Course and ADC Preparation
Course at the Defence International Training Center in Australia, in 2005; Defence and
Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College in 2006; Symposium on
National Security and Strategy at NDU, PLA, China in 2007; and Change Management
Workshop and Strategic Communications at the Australian Defense Coop Program in
2008.
He moved on with his career carrying an excellent standard of performance, fine leadership, and a keen vision that
resulted in accomplishments, both in garrison and field tours of duty. He held positions of major responsibility, such as:
Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, Commander, 703Bde, 7ID, PA from September 6,
2010 to October 3, 2012; Battalion Commander of 28IB, 4ID, PA from November 20 1999 to March 3, 2001; Battalion
Commander of HHSBn, 4ID, PA from March 3, 2001 to December 17, 2001; Ac of S for Operations, G3, 8ID, PA from July
16 2002 to February 1, 2003; ACUCS for CMO, U7, NOLCOM, AFP in February 19 2003 to May 12 2003; ACUCS for
Operations, U3, NOLCOM, AFP from May 12, 2003 to October 24, 2005; and Chief of Unified Command Staff, NOLCOM,
AFP on May 15, 2005 to Oct 24, 2005.
His achievements and his service have been duly recognized through the awards and commendations he has received,
such as: Two Distinguished Service Star Awards; three Gold Cross Medals; five Outstanding Achievement Medals; one
Bronze Cross Medal; sixteen Military Merit Medals and Military Commendation Medals; three Combat “Kagitingan”
Badges; various Letters of Commendation and Badges.
General Catapang was born on July 11, 1959 in Manila. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a
lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, a CPA for the Department of Finance. He
was named after two generals Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar. Early on in life his parents taught him the value of
public
service.
He attended Claret School of Quezon City highschool where he was voted as the high school class president. He entered
the Philippine Military Academy in 1977 and graduated in 1981 (DIMALUPIG Class). Shortly after graduating from PMA he
pursued graduate courses in the University of the Philippines .
-ENDSources:
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Official Gazette
Page 20
Press Kit
Special Guest and Keynote Speaker
HONORABLE LEOPOLDO N. BATAOIL
Representative, 2nd District of Pangasinan
Congressman, doctor, and general are too many titles for just one name, but for
Hon. Leopoldo Nalupa Bataoil, Representative of Pangasinan’s Second District,
these monikers do not measure up to the amount of service that he has
dedicated to God, country and people.
Thirty years of his life has been dedicated to the noble profession where he took
up arms in the military and the police service before laying them down in public
service as a legislator.
Source: Congress
Rep. Bataoil, or simply Pol to his colleagues and friends, is a proud member of the
Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Magilas Class of 1976 who first tasted battle
immediately at the frontlines in what may be considered as the most critical time
and most dangerous parts of the country. He has contributed immensely to the
preservation of the Philippine Republic from the threats of the Muslim
Secessionist Movement in Mindanao.
After his stint in Mindanao, he was assigned as Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director at Negros Occidental
where he led his men to winning the hearts of the people. For this, his unit had been adjudged as the Nation’s Best
Police Provincial Office in 1996.
He was later transferred to his own province in Pangasinan where he served as PNP Provincial Director and later rose as
Regional Director of Police Regional Office 1. There, he continued to win over the people’s hearts, leading his men to be
“citizen friendly and genuine protectors of human rights.” For these efforts, PRO 1 garnered the most coveted award,
the Nation’s Best Police Regional Office, twice in 2006 and 2007.
Moving up the ladder, he became the Regional Director of National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), then later as
the Director of Integrated Police Office for Northern Luzon covering Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera.
Hon. Bataoil retired leaving behind a legacy that is cherished up to this date - “Pulis Ko, Teacher Ko,” a project where he
brought the PNP closer to the community.
His public service continued in the line of politics where he was elected as Congressman in the Second District of
Pangasinan in May 10, 2010 and re-elected last May 13, 2013.
Aside from graduating from PMA, Rep. Bataoil is also a holder of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from St.
Paul University of Tuguegarao and a Doctor of Philosophy on Peace and Security Administration from Bicol University in
Legazpi City.
He was also a national awardee having been the recipient of the Civil Service Commission's Pag-Asa Award in 2007, the
PMA Cavalier Award in 2010 anew the Signum Lasallianum Award by La Salle University of Bacolod City, among others.
He is married to Gina Liza Meim and they have two beautiful daughters namely Carmela and Angela.#
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Press Kit
Profile of the Guest of Honor & Speaker
Hon. GUILLERMO L. PARAYNO, JR.
Director, Philippine Veterans Bank
Showing excellence and leadership at an early age, Guillermo L. Parayno, Jr. or “Willie”,
as has been baptized him by his Philippine Military Academy (PMA) 1970 classmates,
graduated among the top students in his class and was the first recipient of the Jacobo
Zobel Award, an award given to the cadet who has achieved the most exemplary
performance in all aspect of a cadet life – academics, leadership, conduct athletics, extra
-curricular activities, character & department.
Source: Inquirer
This award gave Parayno a scholarship to pursue postgraduate course at any
educational institution of his choice. He took up Master’s in Business Management at
the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in 1975. Parayno credits his benefactor, Mr.
Enrique Zobel for the “vision that transformed his career potential from a naval officer
preparing for war at sea that our country cannot afford, to a reform-minded systems
man, blessed by circumstances to have a hand in the betterment of government
revenues.” He also finished his Masters in Psychology at the University of the Philippines
and took Computer Programming at the National Computer Center.
Parayno was twice anointed in these unenviable posts. First, as the youngest Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs at
44 under the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998) which he held for six years and second, as the Commissioner of
the Bureau of Internal Revenue Chief from September 2002 until July 2005, under former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Between these government assignments, he served as co-chairman to his friend, Mr. Albert Lina. His logistics group of
companies mainly supports the export sector particularly the semi-conductor and electronics industry. He also takes
prode in having served under General Jose T. Almonte whom he described as political and economic thinker, a patriot
whose deeds for the nation are his dream to write about for future generations of Filipinos. Almonte bestowed upon
him the title “Economic Warrior,” for heading a mosquito unit at the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau
fighting economic saboteurs.
Parayno’s career included significant advisory and operations positions both in the government and private sectors. He
developed information technology systems for fiscal and governance institutions including the PMA entrance
examination and Faculty Rating Instrument, system reengineering and computerization at the Bureau of Customs,
Computerized Import Licensing Model for meat and meat products at the Bureau of Animal Industry, Customs-DOF
Computer Linkup for Fiscal Policy Analysis, Automated Export Documentation System, Automated Customs-PEZA Cargo
Transfer System, and productivity enhancement systems at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
He wrote blueprints for the Customs-SBMA Partnership for Trade Competitiveness and for the Reform and
Modernization of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Willy has been tapped internationally by the FAD-IMF as a fiscal
expert for the economies of Argentina, Pakistan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan and Moldova, and East Timor and by the UN for
Customs Modernization for Tajikistan. He has likewise developed a five-year strategic development program for the
Border Control Services of East Timor.
His extensive feats earned him the PMA Alumni Cavalier Award for outstanding accomplishments in Public
Administration, Outstanding Professional of the Year by the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines, and
the Economic Warrior Award of the Department of Finance.
Sources:
 InCite.
 Parayno, Guillermo Jr. L. (MBM 1971), “Taking to the Oars,” AIM Alumni Leadership Magazine,
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 Vol. 2, Issue 2, April—June 2007
Press Kit
Profile of the Guest of Honor & Speaker
Hon. Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV
Senator, 16th Congress
Young at face and young at age, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is the
youngest senator in the 16th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.
The term “young” does not just refer to his physical appearance but also to his
multi-awarded endeavors. Being the Chairperson of the National Youth
Commission at 25, he was the youngest head of a government agency in 2003;
he was also named Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2006;
one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 2010; and one of
the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World in 2012.
Source: www.bamaquino.com
His outspoken persona started at a young age when he delivered speeches or
spoke in rallies against the dictatorship of the Marcos regime.
From grade school to college, Bam Aquino was exemplary in his education at Ateneo De Manila; graduating
first in his class and always delivering his valedictory speeches. In 1999, he graduated summa cum laude with a
Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering.
Because of his admirable feats, he was awarded a scholarship at the Kennedy School of Government in the
Harvard University for an Executive Education Program on Leadership and Public Policy in 2008.
Son to the youngest brother of late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and business executive, Paulo Aquino and
Melanie Aguirre, Bam Aquino took inspiration in helping the youth and poor by joining special project groups
that help people in need, hosted in youth oriented shows, and managed ventures like the Hapinoy Program
that received global awards for its program that helps lift poor Filipinos out of poverty through micro-finance
and micro-enterprise support.
On October 5, 2012, Bam Aquino filed his certificate of candidacy making him the youngest candidate in the
Team PNoy coalition and later on won a senatorial chair in May 17, 2013.
Senator Bam Aquino, 37 years old, currently handles the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and
Entrepreneurship and the Committee on Youth.
-END-
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Press Kit
Profile of the Guest of Honor & Speaker
Hon. Orlando S. Mercado, PhD.
Former Senator & Secretary of National Defense
He is a popular TV personality - former Defense Secretary, three-termer Senator of
the Republic, hard-hitting broadcaster, social service facilitator, public administration
expert, environment crusader and even a toothpaste commercial model.
Everybody knows that Orlando “Orly” Sanchez Mercado is not one you would like
to debate with, but only a few people know that he is not one you would want to fight
with, as he is a martial arts practitioner who earned his black belt in arnis, with the rank of
“lakan.”
He is the second of five children of public school teacher, Guillermo P. Mercado of
Dagami, Leyet and Adriana Sanchez of Baccor, Cavite. Born and raised as a street-smart
lad at Fabie St. in Paco, Manila, Mercado had to fend for his education to help his parents,
having attended public schools like Celedonio Salvador Elementary School and Manuel A.
Roxas High School where he graduated with honors. In fact, he was the first public school
student to represent the country in the New York Mirror Youth Forum in New York, USA,
in 1961.
During his college days, he had the privilege of using the scholarship grant of his
father who served as a World War II veteran who fought with the Anderson’s guerrillas
Source: aceoflifewellbeingblog.com/
with the rank of Sergeant. Though his tuition and matriculation fees were subsidized for
being one “Iskolar ng Bayani,” still, he had to work his way through college for his daily allowance and other needs just so
he could finish Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He worked as casual laborer at the Manila City Engineer’s Office and
later as a clerk at City Hall. Higher education soon after beckoned him to pursue Master of Arts in Communication, and
later on, Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of the Philippines.
His calling for public service started through the media when he became a radio-TV announcer of the Republic
Broadcasting System. Then, he transferred to ABS-CBN as a police reporter, and later tapped to head and anchor Radio
Patrol of ABS-CBN from 1969 to 1971.
When martial law was declared, he was detained for ten months at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City because of his
fearless and hard-hitting reports and commentaries against the former strongman.
Soon after his release, Mercado produced and hosted the country’s longest running public service program,
“Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko” on GMA-7, helping the indigent and the needy from different parts of the country. Every Tuesday
evening, he appears on Channel 5 with his wife, Dr. Susan Pineda-Mercado in a public service program entitled “KONTAK
5”. For these programs, Mercado received various citations and awards, including the Ten Outstanding Young Men
(TOYM) Award in the field of Public Service Broadcast Media.
Realizing that he could do more to help more people in terms of legislating public policies and laws, he tried
national politics and got elected to the Batasang Pambansa as an opposition Member of Parliament in Quezon City,
topping the May 14, 1984 election. He ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate where he served for three terms from
1987-1998. As a Senator, Mercado was always at the forefront in advancing people’s health and in preserving the
environment, representing the country in different global assemblies.
During the term of President Joseph Estrada, Mr. Mercado was appointed 21st Secretary of National Defense
(July 1, 1999 to January 2001), Being the first civilian to be appointed to the top Defense post, he instituted a
reorganization program in the department and its bureaus to assert civilian supremacy over the military, focusing on
improving the public service delivery system for better and faster service to the people.
He was appointed as the first Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations
(ASEAN)
in
Jakarta,
Indonesia
in
2009
with
the
rank
of
an
Ambassador.
He is currently Secretary General of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA) based in
the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippine Diliman campus, where he also
teaches. He is also professorial lecturer at the Ateneo School of Government. #
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