Serving The Nation, The Bedan Way by Dr. Joffre M. Alajar

Undeniably, 2016 is the Year of Bedans in Public Service. This has become more pronounced with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (Law’72) rise to power, earning for him the monicker “First Bedan President.” It is also perhaps by coincidence or fate, that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo was once a student of our Graduate School of Law, with no less than the esteemed former Senator Rene Saguisag (AB’59, Law’63) as her professor and mentor. An added value to the Senate is bar topnotcher and former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima (Law’85). It is unfortunate though that President Duterte and Senator Leila have different ways of confronting and solving the growing drug problem in the country. This is however viewed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, another honorary Bedan, as beneficial to our democracy where the necessary check-and balance is assured to be maintained, as articulated in his Philippine Daily Inquirer column last August 14, 2016. Admittedly, the men and women of the hour are Bedans, what with the significant number of Bedistas in the Duterte Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbong” C. Medialdea (Law’76); Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II (HS’63, CAS’67, Law’71); Atty. Arthur P. Tugade (GS’59, HS’63, CAS’67, Law’71) Secretary, Department of Transportation; Atty. Rodolfo A. Salalima (CAS’69, Law’73) Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology; Atty. Abdullah D. Mama-O (Law ’72) Presidential Adviser of the Filipino Overseas Workers; and Atty. Alfredo C. Lim (Law’76) COO and President, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The distinguished list of Bedans elected/appointed in various public office positions will surely alter the course of Philippine history and hopefully change the fate of the nation as seen through the lives of Bedan greats such as Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., Ramon V. Mitra, Raul S. Roco, and Rene A.V. Saguisag to name a few. Now more than ever, the country yearns for modern-day Bedan leaders and heroes who will strive, especially for the least, the lost and the last in society. Bedan lawmakers are dominating the House of Representatives led by former Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr., (HS’52) 4th District, Quezon City; Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (BSC’06, MBA’14), 1st District, Bulacan; Virgilio (VG) S. Lacson (CAS’85) Manila Teacher’s Savings and Loan Association, Inc. PartyList; Fredenil H. Castro (Law’75) 2nd District, Capiz; Ronald Wayne M. Cosalan (HS’69) Lone District, Benguet; Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr., (GS’54, HS’58, Law ’66) 2nd District, Laguna; Luis Emmanuel A. Ferrer IV (BSC Acctg.’94) 6th District, Cavite; Arnulfo P. Fuentebella (GS’58 HS’62) 4th District, Camarines Sur; Roy M. Loyola (Law ‘83-’85), 5th District, Cavite; Jose T. Panganiban, Jr. (Law’03) ANAC Indigenous People

PartyList; Isidro S. Rodriguez, Jr. (GS ’60) 2nd District, Rizal; Marlyn L. Primicias–Agabas (Law’96) 6th District, Pangasinan; Cesar V. Sarmiento (AB Eco’78) Lone District, Catanduanes; Abraham N. Tolentino (BSC Mngt.’84) 7th District, Cavite; Reynaldo V. Umali (GS’71, HS’75) 2nd District, Oriental Mindoro; Paulino Salvador C. Leachon (AB Philo’94, Law’98) 1st District Oriental, Mindoro; Roger G. Mercado (Law’77) Lone Southern, Leyte; Eric D. Singson (CAS’68) 2nd District, Ilocos Sur; Pablo C. Ortega (GS’67, HS’71) 1ST District, La Union; Jose I. Tejada (AB Eco’80-’82) 3rd District North Cotabato; Renato J. Unico, Jr. (CAS‘87-‘89) 1st District, Camarines Norte; and Carlos Roman Uybarreta (Law’92) 1-CARE Partylist. Perhaps more than the Bedans in the executive and legislative branches of government, Bedans serving as City/Municipality Mayors are the ones who inspire, ignite and propel positive change in our Philippine society. Bedan mayors include: Don I. Abalon (Law’88) San Roque Northern Samar; Ferdinand “Blueboy” R. Abesamis (AB PolSci’75, Law’79) Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija; Herbert Constantine “Bistek” M. Bautista (GS’81, HS’86, CAS’92) Quezon City; Elpidio “Pidi” F. Barzaga, Jr.(BSC Acctg.’70) City of Dasmariñas, Cavite; Antonio “Toots” O. Bendita (AB PolSci ’82) Surallah, South Cotabato; Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio (Law 2000-’04) Davao City; Justine Marc SB. Chipeco (Law1996-’99) Calamba City; Ace Jello C. Concepcion (Law’10) Mariveles, Bataan; Christopher Ampeng Cuan (CAS’95) Municipality of Libungan, North Cotabato; Clarence E. Dato (HS’89 CAS’93) San Jose, Northern Samar; Rosario Anna Victoria “Roanna” Dinglasan-Conti (Law ’94-96) San Pascual, Batangas; Felix Joash B. Eduarte (HS’10) Tayum, Abra; Antonio “Ony” A. Ferrer (Law’90-’92) General Trias, Cavite; Manuel L. Fortes, Jr. (Law ’90) Barcelona, Sorsogon; Mariano Cristino N. Joson (GS’66 HS ’70, AB PolSci’75) Quezon, Nueva Ecija; Christopher “Topi” A. Mamauag (Law 1990-‘93) Cabagan, Isabela; Oscar S. Moreno (Law’75) Cagayan De Oro City; Marino “Boking” P. Morales (AB Pol Sci ’70) City of Mabalacat, Pampanga; Almira Abella-Orfanel (Law’97) Catanauan, Quezon; Edgardo “Ed” D. Pamintuan (Law’77) Angeles City, Pampanga; Miguel “Mike” F. Ponce (Law‘89) Municipality of Pateros, Taguig City; Jaime P. Rusillon (HS’89) General Luna, Surigao Del Norte; and Angel M. Saulong (BSC Acctg.’89) Bansud, Oriental Mindoro; Martin Raul S. Sison II (BS IBEM’10) Municipality of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan; Virgilio J. Valle (Law’77) Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur; and Carmelo “Black” O. Villacete (Law’87) Municipality of Piat, Cagayan. These mayors are ably assisted by their Bedan vice mayors and councilors, namely: Pedro Rex R. Aguinaldo (AB PolSci ’82) Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Joel Amos Alejandro (BSC Acctg.’88) Alicia Isabela; Philip A. Dacayo (Law’90) Solano, Nueva Vizcaya; Placido “Glen” P. Eduarte (BSC Mgmt.’89) Tayum, Abra; George A. Elias (GS’72, HS’76) Taguig City; Alfonso S. Casurra (Law’80) Surigao City; Carlo Pontico C. Fortuna (Law’96) Mandaue City, Cebu; Michael Demph D. Naga (CAS’08, Law’15) Municipality of Dimasalang, Masbate; Vincent I. Navarosa (GS’92, HS’96, CAS’00) Municipality of Libacao, Aklan; Jose A. Pilar, Jr. (BS Eco’88) Municipality of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; Virgilio T. Teruel (Law’83) Tigbauan, Iloilo; and Roseller M. Toledo (AB Eco’83, Law 1984-‘86) San Clemente, Tarlac; Councilors: Gerald Guttrie Aquino (BSC Acctg.’00) Mabalacat Pampanga; Atty. Ethel Joy F. Arriola (Law’13) District 1 Navotas City; Richard Macadangdang Arquillo (BS IBEM’08) Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; Hero Clarence M. Bautista (GS’83) 3rd District Quezon City; Thristan “Tantan” Cruz (HS’92, CAS’92-’95) Angat Bulacan; Paul B. Dayao, 2nd District, Marikina City; Powell A. Del Rosario (CAS’02) Roxas City; Rosendo O. Del Rosario Jr. (CAS’00) Cabanatuan City; Roger John “RJ” C. Fariñas II (BS IBEM’10, Law’10-’13) Laoag City; Miguel M. Flores (AB Eco’99) La Paz Tarlac; Allan Butch T. Francisco (HS’90) 5th District Quezon City; Oliver Owen Garcia (Law’96) Valencia City Bukidnon; Maria Charis Kay S. Ilagan (Law’14) Lone District, Municipality of Cainta; Alexis Guillermo R. Cruz-Herrera, 1st District, Quezon City; Eufemio “Pinggoy” C. Lagumbay (GS’67) 3rd District Quezon City; Angelito “Totie” S. Lazaro Jr., (BSC Acctg.’93, Law’99) Calamba Laguna; Joanna Katrina L. Ledda (Law’14) Balaoan La Union; Ramon Anselmo Martin “Mon” D. Legaspi III (BS Entrep’13) Makato, Aklan; Voltaire Godofredo L. Liban III (BSC Acctg’92) 2nd District Quezon City; Ramon “Toto” P. Medalla (BSC Mktg.’80), 2nd District Quezon City; Carmelo N. Nochete (Law’02) Miag-Ao Iloilo; Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V (CAS’05) San Fernando City, La Union; Ramon C. Ortega (HS’68) 1st District, San Fernando La Union; Leif Laiglon A. Opiña (Law’05) Cabuyao Laguna; Eduardo “Wardee” P. Quintos XIV (Law’92-93) 4th District, Manila; Eduardo “Bimbo” V. Quintos XVI (Prep to Grade 3) 4th District, Manila; Jesus Melchor B. Quitain, Jr. (Law’98), Davao City; Harvey A. Quiwa (BSC Mktg.’00)San Fernando Pampanga; Edgardo “Edu” D. Pamintuan, Jr.

(AB Eco with Computer Application ’01) Angeles City Pampanga; John Albert “Abet” C. Rana (BSC Mgnt’93) Municipality Lumban Laguna; Carlo Niño C. Rivera (CAS’00) City of Mabalacat Pampanga; Mark Gay P. Santos (BS Mktg.’95) San Rafael Bulacan; Casimiro C. Sison (AB Eco’76, Law’80) 6th District Manila; Jose Netu “Joey” M. Tamayo (Law’90) Dagupan City; Christian Paul L. Uy (CAS‘12) 6th District Manila; and Peter Alvin A. Violago (GS’87, HS ’91, CAS’95) San Rafael Bulacan. Renewing our faith in the Filipino are our Bedan Governors, Vice Governors and Provincial Board Members led by Gerardo J. Espina Jr. (CAS’85) Naval Biliran; Jose L. Ong, Jr. (Law’73) Northern Samar; Alfonso “Boy” V. Umali, Jr. (GS’69, HS’73) Oriental Mindoro; Garry M. Lavin (AB Eco ’89) Vice Governor of Northern Samar; Atty. Carlo P. Loreto (Law‘92-’93) Vice Governor Leyte; Edmund R. Abesamis (AB PolSci ’76, Law ’80) National President Liga Ng Mga Barangay Sa Pilipinas - Provincial Board Member, Nueva Ecija; John Patrick R. Agustin (CAS 2000-‘04) 1st District Tarlac; Clemente “Sonny” B. Arboleda, Jr. (CAS’99) 5th District, Pangasinan; Atty. Florante A. Cayunda, Jr. (Law’05) 5th District, Leyte; Gilbert L. Daquioag (HS’80) 1st District Marinduque; Ryan R. Enriquez (CAS’99) 2nd District Cavite; Bellarmin A. Flores II (Law’77) 2nd District La Union; Aristotle J. Gaza (CAS’99) 1st District, Bataan; Reynaldo M. Mosuela (Law’75) 1st District La Union; Francisco “Kit” C. Ortega, Jr. 1st District La Union; Emelita Isidro-Viceo (Law’94) 3rd District, Bulacan; Gerardo R. Roxas (CAS’85) 2nd District Bataan; Harmes S. Sembrano (CAS’84) 2nd District Tarlac; Benjamin C. Serrano, Jr. (HS’92) 1st District Bataan; Raissa H. Laurel-Subijano, 1st District, San Juan City; Harry C. Sucgang (Law’78) Aklan; Immanuel “Noli” Sodusta (Law’83-’85) Aklan; Niccolo J. Villasin (CAS’00, Law’06) 2nd District Leyte; and Christian Emmanuel W. Uy (CAS’00) Northern Samar. Playing pivotal part in the great and noble effort to make the country progressive and just are the Bedans appointed in government led by Abraham Khalil “Baham” B. Mitra (BSC Mgmt’91) Chairman, Games and Amusement Board; Ferdinand Jesus “Boyet” A. Pecson (HS’76) Chief Executive Director, Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines-PPP; Atty. Al C. Argosino (BSC Mktg.’85, Law ’93) Deputy Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration; Atty. Michael B. Robles (AB Eco’95) Deputy Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration; Atty. Garry V. De Guzman (BSC Acctg.’89, Law’94) Undersecretary, Department of Transportation; Atty. Raoul C. Creencia (Law’93) Undersecretary, Department of Transportation; Atty. Leah V. Merida-Quiambao (Law’06) Assistant Secretary, Department of Transportation; Atty. Antonio “Richie” T. Kho, Jr. (Law’91) Undersecretary, Department of Justice; Atty. Erickson H. Balmes, Undersecretary, Department of Justice; Atty. Raymund L. Macate, Undersecretary, Department of Justice; Atty. George O. Ortha II, Assistant Secretary, Department of Secretary; Atty. Jesus Melchor V. Quitain (Law’70) Undersecretary, Office of the President; Atty. Lanee Cui-David (Law’89-’94) Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue; Atty. Rene V. Sarmiento (AB PolSci’74) Member, Government Peace Panel as Peace Negotiators; Atty. Arthel B. Caronongan, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); Atty. Carlos E. Caliwara, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DITC) and RicoJudge Janvier M. Echiverri, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). It is hoped that this Roster of Bedans in Government will serve as role models whom the Filipino youth can draw inspiration from so they too in their time will work hard towards a better future for our Filipino nation. Last September 12, the San Beda College Alumni Association (SBCAA) and the entire Bedan community paid all Bedans in the nation’s service a grand salute and wished them well as they all bring our country to even greater peace and prosperity.