PRESIDENT

RODRIGO RODY ROA DUTERTE

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Duterte went to Laboon Elementary School in Maasin, for a year. He spent his remaining
elementary days at the Santa Ana Elementary School in Davao City, where he graduated in
1956. He finished his secondary education in then Holy Cross College of Digos (now Cor Jesu
College) in today's city of Digos in the now defunct Davao province, after being expelled twice
from previous schools, including one in Ateneo de Davao University due to misconduct. At the
tertiary level, he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the
Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila. He also obtained a law degree from San Beda
College of Law, still in Manila, in 1972. In the same year, he passed the bar exam. Duterte
eventually became Special Counsel at the City Prosecution Office in Davao City from 19771979; Fourth Assistant City Prosecutor from 1979-1981; Third Assistant City Prosecutor from
1981-1983; and Second Assistant City Prosecutor from 1983-1986.
Duterte claimed publicly to have shot a fellow student while in law school for allegedly
bullying him because of his Visayan origins. His victim, however, survived, and although Duterte
was prohibited from participating in the commencement march, he did graduate.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
After the 1986 People Power Revolution, Duterte was appointed officer-in-charge vice
mayor. In 1988, he ran for mayor and won, serving until 1998. He set a precedent by
designating deputy mayors that represented the Lumad and Moro peoples in the city
government, which was later copied in other parts of the Philippines. In 1995, after Flor
Contemplacion, a Filipino, was executed in Singapore after confessing to a double murder,
Duterte, as Davao City mayor, burned a flag of Singapore while leading 1,000 employees of
Davao City in protest. In 1998, because he was term-limited to run again for mayor, he ran for
the House of Representatives and won as Congressman of the 1st District of Davao City. 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.
Davao City under Duterte won the National Literacy Hall of Fame Award for being a
three-time first-place winner in the Outstanding Local Government Unit, Highly Urbanized City
category. In 2013, Davao City sent rescue and medical teams to Tacloban to give aid to the
victims of Typhoon Haiyan, locally known in the country as Typhoon Yolanda. Financial
assistance was also given to Bohol and Cebu for the earthquake victims.
One article of TIME magazine shows him patrolling in Davao Citys streets on one of his
big motorcycles, leading a convoy complete with blaring sirens and M16 rifles. Local news
reports show him foregoing the pomp, opting to inspect in a regular taxi, surprising his would-be
passengers.
Though vocally supportive of the extra-judicial killings of habitual drug users and dealers,
Duterte used city government funds to build a 12-million drug rehabilitation and treatment

center which provides 24-hour services. In 2003, he offered a 2,000 monthly allowance to drug
addicts who personally approached him and committed to kick the habit. Duterte is also publicly
known for visiting remote New People's Army camps negotiating peace transaction efforts and
advocating diplomacy.
Duterte was also the first mayor in the Philippines to give formal representation to the
indigenous Lumad and Muslim community, designating deputy mayors to represent their
interests in the local government. The anti-discrimination ordinance he mandated, was
reportedly a response to news he received that Muslims were being discriminated against by
real estate agents.
In 2010, he was elected vice mayor, succeeding his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who
was elected as mayor. He has been offered the Interior Secretary post 4 times, by presidents
Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Benigno S. Aquino III
but rejected all of them. In April 2014, he also declined a nomination for the World Mayor Prize,
given by an international body to outstanding mayors saying "he was just doing his job." Among
the other awards Duterte also refused to accept for Davao City includes the one given by the
American Cancer Society and the 2010 anti-smoking award in Singapore.
FAMILY HISTORY
Duterte has siblings named Eleanor Duterte; Benjamin "Bong" Duterte, a one-term city
councilor of Davao between 1992 to 1995; younger sister Jocelyn Duterte, who lost in several
attempts to grab a Third District city council seat as well as for the mayor post in 2001; and Blue
Boy Duterte who ran and lost in the First District congressional race in 1998. Duterte is also
known for his straightforward and vocal attitude in public especially in interviews, showing no
hesitation in using profanity profusely live on-screen on numerous occasions despite formal
requests by media groups and schools beforehand to abstain.
Duterte was once married to Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman, a flight attendant who hails
from Davao City and is of German American descent who also traces her roots in Tuburan,
Cebu. They together have three children (from eldest to youngest): Paolo ("Pulong"), Sara
("Inday Sara") and Sebastian ("Bast"). Paolo and Sara ventured into politics while Baste, with
no interest in politics, concentrated on business and surfing. Paolo got married twice, first with
Lovely Sankola whom he had separated with, and second with January Duterte, his current
wife. Sara is currently married to a fellow lawyer while Baste, though currently single, has 2 kids:
a daughter with his former girlfriend and a son with his recent ex-girlfriend. In 2012, Duterte
made a notorious remark in a media interview regarding an incident where Paolo's name was
allegedly linked to a carnapping syndicate led by Ryan Yu. Duterte is infamously quoted as
having said: "Kill my son Paolo if he is involved in crime." Paolo was never charged for lack of
evidence and eventually won the Davao City vice mayoralty in 2013. Duterte's father Vicente
died in 1968 while his mother Soledad died on February 4, 2012, at the age of 95. Zimmerman
was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2015.
Duterte has been publicly very open about his infidelity and philandering while married to
Zimmerman and cited it as the reason for his failed first marriage when asked in interviews. In
1998, Zimmerman filed a petition with the Regional Trial Court in Pasig to nullify her marriage.
Duterte never appeared in court and did not contest Zimmermans petition. Two years later, the
court decided in her favor, ending the 27-year marriage of Duterte and Zimmerman. Duterte and

Zimmerman have been on good terms in recent years with Zimmerman stating, "Yes, he
[Rodrigo] is really a very good leader. That is all he is. But when it comes to family, he is not
capable of taking care of it." In 2001, Zimmerman eventually ran for a seat on the city council
but lost. Duterte and Zimmerman are said to have patched things up and appear to be civil to
each other, 15 years after their marriage was declared null and void. Zimmerman eventually
joined the campaign trail for Duterte's presidential candidacy in early 2016 called Byaheng Du30
in which she would travel by bus to major cities together with her daughter Sara and a number
of delegates.
Despite his status being listed as "single" in the Davao City government website, Duterte
is currently living with his common-law wife Cieleto "Honeylet" Avancea, a nurse, with whom he
has one daughter named Veronica ("Kitty"). Duterte has eight grandchildren, half of whom are
Muslims and the other half Christian.

VICE PRESIDENT
LENI GERONA-ROBREDO
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Robredo was educated in Universidad de Sta. Isabel in Naga City, graduating from
Elementary in 1978, and from High School in 1982. She then graduated with a degree in
Economics from the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1986.
She then went to take her Master of Business Administration at San Beda College prior to
studying Law at University of Nueva Caceres, graduating in 1992.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Currently, she is the chairperson of Liberal Party in Camarines Sur and the standard
bearer for congressman in the 3rd congressional district. On May 16, 2013 she was proclaimed
as the winner for the Congressman of the 3rd District of Camarines Sur by a landslide, beating
Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, wife of Luis Villafuerte, newspaper columnist of Manila Bulletin, and
former Monetary Board member, of Nationalist People's Coalition/United Nationalist Alliance.
Leni took a job at the Bicol River Basin Development Program where she met her boss-turnedhusband Jesse Robredo. Believing it would help her land the job, she had brought a
recommendation letter from Jesse's politician uncle. Jesse was unimpressed and told her that
was no longer how things worked.
Being on the same wavelength, that was wanting to find more meaning in life and
serving the country, their love story was born. While Jesse governed the city, Leni served as a
public attorney to help indigent clients. She also worked with Saligan, a non-governmental
organization, and provided legal help for the poor, fisherfolk, laborers, and marginalized sectors
in Bicol. Jesse Robredo, the former secretary of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) and former mayor of Naga City, died in 2012 when his plane plunged in
waters off Masbate. He was an icon of good governance being the first Filipino mayor to receive
the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000. After Jesse's death, supporters
started to press her to consider a life in public service. She resisted as she never anticipated

that one day, she'd carry the torch her husband had been carrying. However, she cannot turn
her back as she understood that she had to step forward because it was what was being
demanded of her.
In 2013, Leni scored an overwhelming victory against Nelly Villafuerte. With a lead of
over 71,000 votes, she secured her position as a Representative of the 3rd District of
Camarines Sur. As a legislator, her bills sought to promote transparency in government and
people empowerment. She has filed 110 bills, 24 of which as principal author. Among the bills
she wrote were the Full Disclosure Act of 2013 and the People Empowerment Bill of 2014. She
was chosen to run as the vice presidential candidate of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer
Manuel Roxas II. Having the advocacies and the years of experience working with marginalized
sectors, her supporters think she is skilled and competent and with a heart for public service.
Although a September Pulse Asia survey showed her trailing behind her vice presidential rivals,
supporters say that her background and clean image make her winnable.
Political positions
FAMILY HISTORY
Maria Leonor Santo Tomas Gerona was born on April 23, 1964 in Naga, Camarines Sur,
Philippines. She is the eldest of the three children of retired Naga City Regional Trial Court
Judge Antonio Gerona and Salvacion Sto. Tomas. She was married to former Mayor of Naga
City turned DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo with three children, Aika, Tricia (who worked as a
courtside reporter for the UAAP), and Jillian.

SENATORS
JUAN EDGARDO SONNY ANGARA
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He took up his basic education at Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila, and finished
his undergraduate degree in International Relations with honors from the London School of
Economics. He finished his law degree at the University of the Philippines College of Law, and
earned his Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
USA .
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
He was first elected to public office in 2004 as the representative to Congress for the
lone district of Aurora, where he succeeded his aunt, Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo, a three-term
representative and erstwhile governor of Aurora. Elected at age 31, he was one of the youngest
members of the 13th Congress. He was a member of the House minority and served as House
deputy minority leader, thereby becoming an ex officio member of all standing and special
committees of the 13th Congress. He authored a number of laws of national significance and
was able to focus on work in his constituency, where he used the funds allotted to his office to

build over 100 classrooms and provided funds for indigent constituents in 12 government
hospitals and hundreds of scholarships to deserving students at various state universities and
colleges (SUCs). He also worked together with socio-civic groups on various projects and
funded the creation of the Gawad Kalinga villages for the homeless in three of Aurora's
municipalities and the provision of computers and Internet access to Aurora's public high
schools, together with the GILAS Foundation, and access to vocational, skills, and livelihood
training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other
groups.
FAMILY HISTORY
Sonny Angara is a son of former Senator Edgardo J. Angara and Mrs. Gloria M. Angara,
a former teacher and chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). He married
Tootsy Echauz in 2003. They have three children, namely Manolo, Ines, and Javier.

PAOLO BENIGNO BAM AQUINO IV

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Bam Aquino was a consistent honor student in Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City from
grade school to college. During his grade school graduation, Aquino delivered the valedictory
speech and graduated with first honors. He also graduated from high school in 1995 as the
class valedictorian. Thereafter, he joined the Ateneo Catechetical Instructional League wherein
he spent three years teaching catechism at nearby public schools.
In 1999 Aquino graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Management
Engineering degree.
In 2008, he enrolled in the Executive Education Program on Leadership and Public
Policy of the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University.
While still at the Ateneo de Manila University, Aquino, as one of the founding members of
the National Union of Catholic Student Councils, an association of student councils and
governments in various Catholic universities and colleges in the Philippines, became the union's
Constitutional Chairman. He was the Student Council President at the university during that
period.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Bam Aquinos inclusion to Team PNoy became official on Oct. 1, 2012 making him the
youngest candidate of the coalition. On Oct. 5, 2012, Bam Aquino filed his certificate of
candidacy, together with Team PNOY candidates Risa Hontiveros and Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
When the campaign officially started on Feb. 12, 2013, Bam Aquino joined the entire
Team PNOY in their proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda, Manila. In March 13, the BAMwagon, a
vehicle that symbolizes the collective journey of the people towards change, was launched as
part of Bam Aquinos campaign.

On March 18, he was unanimously adopted by all the ten (10) tribes of Davao City as
Datu Matulangod, meaning the dependable, sincere and trusted leader. Bam also attended
major debates held on April 13 (Rappler), April 18 (Inquirer), and April 21 (ABS-CBN).
During the last leg of the campaign, Bam Aquinos campaign team launched four (4)
Rock The Vote 2013 concerts at Dagupan, Davao, Batangas and Cebu City, respectively. On
May 17, Bam Aquino was elected as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.
FAMILY HISTORY
Benigno Bam Aquino is the nephew of the late Ninoy Aquino and cousin of the
incumbent President Noynoy Aquino. His real name is Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, he is the son of
Paul Aquino, the youngest brother of Ninoy Aquino, and Melanie Aguirre.

MARIA LOURDES NANCY BINAY

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Binay pursued her elementary and secondary education at St. Scholastica's College.
She entered the University of the Philippines in June 1991 initially studying culinary arts and
later earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism from the University of the Philippines
Diliman in 1997.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Between 1998 and 2001 she performed administrative duties as personal assistant to
her mother, liaising between the Mayor's office and other governmental departments and offices
as well as with the private sector. From 2010 she has been functioning as personal assistant to
her father, who is the current Vice President. In this role she liaises between the Office of the
Vice President and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, as well as with
other local government offices. In 2012, she was listed as one of the top 20 potential senatorial
candidates for the UNA.
FAMILY HISTORY
Nancy Binay is the eldest daughter of the incumbent Vice President of the Philippines,
Jejomar C. Binay and Dr. Elenita Binay. Nancy Binay is also the older sister of Abigail Binay, a
current Representative of Makati, and Jejomar Binay, Jr.e, former mayor of Makati. Nancy Binay
is married to Jose Benjamin Angeles, a construction and real estate businessman with whom
she has four children. They reside in Barangay San Antonio, Makati City.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
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 fathers 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.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
After the 2013 elections, at the start of the 16th Congress, Cayetano was elected as the
new Senate Majority Floor Leader and was likewise appointed to chair the Senate Committee
on Rules.
In a press event held in Davao City, Senator Cayetano, announced that he will be
running for Vice President in the 2016 national elections under the Nacionalista Party.
Cayetano, did not mention who will be his Presidential runningmate. On November 21, 2015, it
was made official that Rodrigo Duterte will be his running mate for the 2016 Presidential
Elections.
FAMILY HISTORY
Born to Senator Renato "Compaero" Cayetano and German-American former school
teacher Sandra Schramm, Cayetano resides with his family in Bagumbayan, Taguig City. His
wife, Maria Laarni Lopez Cayetano, is currently the Mayor of Taguig City. His older sister, Pia, is
also a Senator. His youngest brother, Lino is the incumbent representative of the 2nd District of
Taguig while his other brother Ren is a former councilor of Muntinlupa.

JOSEPH VICTOR EJERCITO

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He attended Xavier School for his primary and secondary education and completed his
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at De La Salle University.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Ejercito served as mayor of San Juan City for three consecutive terms from 2001 to
2010. During the 2010 elections, Ejercito ran for the position of congressman for the lone district
of San Juan. Over the course of his term, Ejercito authored and/or sponsored 161 bills and/or
House measures, five of which were approved by the House and passed to the Senate for
consideration. On October 1, 2012, Ejercito filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2013

Philippine senate elections, in which he won as the eleventh out of twelve of the senators
elected. In April 6, 2016, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued an arrest warrant against Ejercito
and four other government officials, in connection with allegations on misuse of funds during his
term as San Juan City mayor. The said case involved the purchase of PhP 2.1 million worth of
firearms using calamity funds. It is alleged that Ejercito approved the purchase in April 2008
despite the city not being under a state of calamity.
FAMILY HISTORY
Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito was born on the 26th of December 1969 to the then newly
elected San Juan City Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and businesswoman and now current
mayor of San Juan, Guia Gomez. He is married to Hyacinth "Cindy" Lotuaco with whom he has
a son, Julio Jose. He also has an older son, Jose Emilio. Joseph Victor is also a Commissioned
Reserve Officer of the Philippine Marine Corps with the rank of Major. He is an adopted member
of the Philippine Military Academy Class of '88, Maringal.

FRANCIS JOSEPH CHIZ ESCUDERO

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Escudero was educated in the Philippine public school system. He attended the
University of the Philippines Integrated School in elementary (1981) and high school (1985). He
obtained his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines in
Diliman, Quezon City (1988) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines College
of Law (1993).
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Escudero's involvement in politics started in the 1980s as an organizer for the local
campaign of his father. He first expressed interest in running for public office as municipal
councilor of Sorsogon when he was 22. At 25, he again indicated his intention to run, this time
as mayor of the municipality. However, on both occasions, his family forbade him from entering
politics and insisted that he finish his law studies before embarking on a political career.
Consequently, Escudero was 28 when he began his political career. He was elected
representative of the first district of Sorsogon in 1998 and was one of the youngest lawmakers
in the 11th Congress.
FAMILY HISTORY
Escudero was born on October 10, 1969 in Manila, Philippines, the second of the three
children of the late Salvador Escudero, former Agriculture Minister and representative of the first
district of Sorsogon, and educator Evelina B. Guevara. Escudero married Christine Elizabeth
Flores, his first wife, in 2005. They separated after six years and were granted a civil annulment
in 2011. They have two children. Escudero has custody of the children.

In 2012, the senator began dating local actress and TV talk show host Heart Evangelista. Their
engagement was announced in August 2014, a few months after Escudero obtained Church
annulment of his first marriage. On February 15, 2015, Evangelista and Escudero wed in
Balesin Island, off the coast of Polillo, Quezon.

GREGORIO B. HONASAN II
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Honasan spent his elementary days at San Beda College from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
After which, he went to Taiwan and studied at the Dominican School, Taipei, Taiwan. He then
returned to the Philippines and finished his high school at Don Bosco Technical College.He
attained his Bachelor of Science degree at the Philippine Military Academy, where he received
the title of "Class Baron", the academy's highest leadership award.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, who was elected in 1992, granted amnesty to
Honasan. Honasan utilized his rebel infamy to enter politics in 1995, becoming the first
independent candidate in Philippine history to win a seat in the Senate. He was re-elected in
2001, filled the vacant seat left by Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr., who was appointed by
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Vice President. From April 30 to May 1, 2001, together
with Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III, he led
the EDSA III protests in support of Joseph Estrada. May 1, 2001, the protesters stormed
Malacaang Palace.
He left the Senate when the term expired in 2004. In the general election held in May
2007, he was again elected to the Senate. Running as an independent candidate, he polled
some 11.6 million votes, finishing 10th out of 37 candidates for 12 Senate vacancies. He took up
his post on June 30. He was reelected during the 2013 elections, placing twelfth, his fourth
consecutive term. On June 2015, Justice Undersecretary Justiniano amended the complaint
against Senator Honasan for his alleged part in the Pork Barrel Scam involving allegations of
corrupt malversation of public funds. Following the alleged collapse of talks between UNA
presidential candidate Jejomar Binay Honasan became Binay's running mate.
FAMILY HISTORY
Gregorio Honasan was born in Baguio City to Colonel Romeo Gillego Honasan and
Alicia "Alice" Masip Ballesteros, both from Sorsogon province.

LOREN D. LEGARDA
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
She attended Assumption College from primary to high school, where she was a
valedictorian. She attended university in the University of the Philippines, from which she
graduated cum laude.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
After becoming urged by the Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, Legarda ran for the
Senate in 1998 under the Lakas-NUCD-UMDP Party. She was elected with more than 15 million
votes, allowing her to be the highest vote-getter in that year's election. That year, Tina MonzonPalma who came from rival ABC and was the anchor of The Big News, transferred to ABS-CBN
in order to replace Legarda on The World Tonight at the same time and joining Angelo Castro,
Jr. in order to run the latter for this election. But when the ratings got low in 1999, the newscast
was replaced by Pulso: Aksyon Balita on ABS-CBN and moving The World Tonight to its 24-hour
cable news channel ABS-CBN News Channel and until now, the newscast is still airing. Legarda
played a role in the 2000-01 impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada that sparked the 2001 EDSA
Revolution. She was later chosen to be the Senate's Majority Floor Leader from 2001-2004.
FAMILY HISTORY
Loren Legarda was born on January 28, 1960 in Malabon as Lorna Regina Bautista
Legarda, the only daughter of Antonio Cabrera Legarda of San Pablo, Laguna, and Bessie Gella
Bautista of Malabon. Her maternal grandfather was Jose P. Bautista, an editor of the pre-Martial
Law newspaper, The Manila Times. In 1989, she married former Batangas Governor Antonio
Leviste. Their marriage produced two sons: Lorenzo Leviste and Leandro Leviste. They
separated in 2003 and their marriage was annulled in 2008.

MARY GRACE SONORA POE-LLAMANZARES

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
She attended elementary school at Saint Paul College of Pasig and Saint Paul College
of Makati. In 1982, Poe transferred to Assumption College San Lorenzo for high school.
Following high school, Poe entered the University of the Philippines Manila (UP), where she
majored in development studies. She transferred to Boston College, where she graduated with
a degree in political science in 1991.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
In the 2010 general election, Poe served as a convenor of Kontra Daya, She also
became honorary chairperson of the FPJ for President Movement (FPJPM), the group which
was organized to pressure her father to run in 2004, continuing the movement's social relief
programs for the less fortunate. On October 10, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed
Poe to serve as chairwoman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
(MTRCB). She was sworn in on October 21, 2010 at the Malacaang Palace and was later
reappointed by President Aquino for another term on October 23, 2011.
FAMILY HISTORY
Poe has two adoptive half-siblings through her father Fernando Poe Jr. Both of these
half-siblings are actors: Ronian, born to actress Ana Marin; and Lourdes Virginia (Lovi), born to
model Rowena Moran. Although she did not grow up with her half-siblings, even admitting that
she met Lovi for the first time only after their father died. Poe married Teodoro Misael Daniel
"Neil" Vera Llamanzares on July 27, 1991. Llamanzares is a natural-born Filipino who held
American citizenship since birth until April 2016. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force
who served from 1988 to 1991 and later worked for Science Applications International

Corporation. He worked for San Miguel Corporation after the return of his wife to the Philippines.
On April 16, 1992, Poe gave birth to her son, Brian, a journalist who worked as a reporter for
CNN Philippines. She later gave birth to two daughters: Hanna in 1998, and Nikka in 2004. Her
family lived in Fairfax, Virginia for 12 years.

AQUILINO KOKO L. PIMENTEL III

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Pimentel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Ateneo de Manila
University and a Bachelor of Laws from University of the Philippines, Diliman. He was
subsequently the topnotcher in the 1990 Philippine Bar Examinations.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Running in only his second race in the May 14, 2007 senatorial elections, Pimentel was
narrowly defeated by Bukidnon Congressman Miguel Zubiri for the 12th and last slot in the
Philippine Senate. The narrow margin of 18,372 votes was hotly contested, particularly the
votes from the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, where Pimentel had lost heavily to
Zubiri. Pimentel was included in the United Nationalist Alliance's shortlist of candidates for the
upcoming 2013 election, but his longtime foe Migz Zubiri was also included on the senatorial list
of UNA. Instead of running with Zubiri, he ran under the administration coalition of the Liberal
Party. Pimentel won during the elections, placing eighth.
FAMILY HISTORY
He is the eldest son of the former senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. (19871992, 1998
2010) and Lourdes dela Llana-Pimentel.

ANTONIO SONNY F. TRILLANES IV

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
His elementary years were spent at Siena College, Quezon City from 19751983, and
from 19831987, his secondary education was at Angelicum College in Quezon City. In 1990,
while a fourth year BS in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) student from De
La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila, he took and passed the [PMA] entrance
examination. In 2014, he finished the National and International Security Program at the
Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Trillanes was known for leading the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny when he and some 300 junior
officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines took over the Oakwood towers
in Makati City as protest for alleged rampant corruption in the Philippine government - in the
Armed Forces of the Philippines in particular - and the prevalence of social injustice all over the
country. He was detained for almost seven and a half years after protesting against corruption.

FAMILY HISTORY

Trillanes was born and raised in Caloocan, to Philippine Navy Capt. Antonio Floranza
Trillanes, Sr. (PMA Class '59) of Ligao City, Albay, and Estelita Dia Fuentes from Ivisan, Capiz.
He is brother of Antonio Jr. and Antonio III. Trillanes is married to Arlene G. Orejana, a former
member of the Philippine Military Academy corps of professors a PMA Class 1997 graduate
herself and together they have had three children: Francis Seth, Thea Estelle, and Alan
Andrew (who died at 21 days old).

CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
She spent her elementary years at the Muntinlupa Elementary School, where she
graduated in 1962. In 1966, she graduated high school from the Philippine Christian University.
She then obtained a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University
of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) in 1970. It is where in UP she met her future husband,
Senator Manny Villar. Two years later, in 1972, she obtained a master's degree in Business
Administration at the New York University.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
In 2001, Villar ran as Representative of the Lone District of Las Pias and won in a
landslide victory. She served in that post until 2010. When her husband became the Senate
President in 2006, she became the president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc., serving
until December 2008. In 2013, Villar ran as senator under the ticket of his husband's rival in the
2010 presidential elections, President Benigno Aquino III and won, finishing in the 10th place.
FAMILY HISTORY
Villar was born on July 29, 1950 in the then-municipality of Muntinlupa to Filemon
Aguilar, a long-time mayor of Las Pias and congressman, and Lydia Ampaya. She is the sister
of Las Pias City Mayor Vergel Aguilar, and Muntinlupa Barangay Chairman Elizabeth "Ate
Bess" A. Masangkay and the wife of Senator Manny Villar.

FRANKLIN DRILON
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He took his elementary education at the Baluarte Elementary School in Molo, Iloilo, Iloilo
and graduated in 1957. He finished his secondary education at the U.P. - Iloilo College (now
University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo) in 1961. In college he went to the University of
the Philippines (U.P.) where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. At U.P., he was the
associate editor of the student newspaper Philippine Collegian and served as councilor of the
U.P. Student Council. Among his classmates were future politicians Miriam Defensor Santiago
and Ronaldo Zamora. In 1969, he completed his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) at the U.P. College of
Law. In the same year he took the bar examination and finished with the third highest score.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE

As Justice Secretary, Drilon was instrumental in the prosecution and conviction of Mayor
Antonio Sanchez of Calauan, Laguna, who masterminded the rape-slaying of a UP Los
Baoscoed and the murder of her friend; and Claudio Teehankee, Jr., who figured in the gun
slaying of Maureen Hultman. Both cases ended up in convictions.
FAMILY HISTORY
Drilon was born on November 28, 1945 in Iloilo City, Iloilo and is the eldest son of Cesar
Drilon, Sr. and Primitiva Magtunao. Drilon was married to fellow lawyer and ACCRA senior
partner Violeta Calvo with whom he had two children, Eliza and Patrick.

JOEL VILLANUEVA
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He attended the University of Santo Tomas where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor
of Science in Commerce Degree, Major in Economics. He then went to Harvard University in the
United States where he took graduate studies in Business Administration from 1996 to 1998.
While in the office of the director general of TESDA, he also completed a 124-hour course in
Advanced Food and Beverage Services at the agency to acquire vocational skills as a barista.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Villanueva was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2001 as a
party-list representative of the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC). His taking the oath of
office was delayed for seven months following accusations that CIBAC was an extension of the
Jesus is Lord Church, a sect founded by his father, Eddie Villanueva. At age 26, Villanueva took
his oath of office in February 2002, becoming the youngest member of the House of
Representatives, a distinction previously held by Felix William Fuentebella. He was part of the
12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses spanning from 2001-2010. At the 12th congress he became
the first party-list representative and minority leader of the House's Commission on
Appointments. He was also among the principal sponsors of Republic Act 9485 (the Anti RedTape Law of 2007).
FAMILY HISTORY
Joel Villanueva was born in August 2, 1975 in Bocaue, Bulacan. He is the second of four
children of Eddie Villanueva and Adoracion "Dory" Villanueva. Villanueva has two children,
Jaden and Gwyn.

TITO SOTTO
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Sotto studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila for his elementary,
high school, and college education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE

Sotto was elected to the Senate of the Philippines in the 1992 senatorial election,
topping the tally with nearly 12 million votes, more than 3 million more than his second place
ranker. This made him the third member of his family to enter the Senate, after his grandfather
Vicente Yap Sotto and granduncle Filemon Sotto. He served as Assistant Majority Floor Leader,
was a member of the Commission on Appointments, and served as chairman on several senate
committees. In the 1998 senatorial election, Sotto earned another term in the Senate with a third
place finish, the best result among Senators vying for re-election.
FAMILY HISTORY
Vicente C. Sotto III was born on 24 August 1948. His parents were Marcelino Antonio
Ojeda Sotto and Dr. Herminia Castelo Sotto. Sotto is married to Helen Gamboa, a beauty
queen, actress, and singer. They have four children (Romina, Diorella, Gian and Ciara) eight
grandsons (Romino Vicente, Victorio, Vicente IV, Carlos Edrigu, Alessandro Jose, Marciano,
Juan Rossano, and Vincenzo Jose) and granddaughter (Helena).

PING LACSON
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He finished grade school at the Bayan Luma Elementary School in 1960 and high school
at the Imus Institute in 1964. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree at the
Lyceum of the Philippines University before entering the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in
1967. Now-senator Gregorio Honasan was his classmate. In 1996 he earned a postgraduate
degree of Master in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Lacson ran for senator in the 2001 elections under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino
(LDP), which was affiliated with Estrada's Puwersa ng Masa coalition. He won a seat in the
Senate, finishing in the tenth place. In late 2006, Lacson said he may run as mayor of the city of
Manila in the 2007 midterm elections. However, he rescinded that decision and instead ran for
re-election for a second Senate term under the Genuine Opposition coalition. He won reelection
in the 2007 senatorial elections senatorial elections, ranking third. Throughout his Senate stint,
Lacson proved himself unique by foregoing of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork
barrel. In 2003, he delivered a privilege speech entitled Living Without Pork, exposing the evils
of the pork barrel system, at the same time calling for its total abolition.
FAMILY HISTORY
Panfilo Morena Lacson was born in Imus, Cavite on June 1, 1948.

RICHARD GORDON
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
In 1958, he completed his elementary education at Lourdes Catholic School (now
Lourdes School of Quezon City) in Quezon City and Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila.
He then finished his secondary education in 1962 at the Ateneo de Manila University. He stayed
in Ateneo and completed his tertiary education, earning a degree of Bachelor of Arts, major in
History and Government, in 1966. After serving as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional

Convention, he successfully pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the

Philippines College of Law in the year 1975. Gordon is also a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi
Fraternity, the oldest Greek-letter fraternity in Asia.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
As a politician, Gordon gained national prominence as the chairman of the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority during the administration of President Fidel Ramos, and as Secretary of
Tourism under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In 2004 he was elected
as Senator under the senatorial ticket of President Arroyo. He ran for President in the 2010
Philippine elections as the standard-bearer of Bagumbayan - Volunteers for a New Philippines,
but was unsuccessful in his bid.
FAMILY HISTORY
Gordon is the son of James Leonard Gordon, a local politician of American descent with
Jewish roots, who was the second municipal mayor of Olongapo and first mayor of Olongapo
when it was converted into a city, and Amelia (ne Juico) Gordon, Olongapo's mayor from June
1967 to June 30, 1972.

JUAN MIGUEL ZUBIRI

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Zubiri finished elementary and high school in Colegio San Agustin-Makati. He graduated
from the University of the Philippines Los Baos with a degree in Bachelor of Science in
Agribusiness Management. He also earned a Master of Environment and Natural Resources
Management degree from the University of the Philippines Open University.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
He is a Filipino businessman and politician who served three consecutive terms in the
Philippine House of Representatives for the third district of Bukidnon and as a senator. In the
Philippine Senate he became Senate Majority Leader, replacing Senator Francis Pangilinan, on
November 17, 2008. He is the current vice chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. Zubiri
announced his resignation from the Senate on August 3, 2011, following allegations of poll fraud
during the Senate elections of 2007. He is the first Philippine Senator to do so, since all
historical resignations from the Senate prior to his resignation involved senators leaving to
assume other positions in government.
FAMILY HISTORY
Zubiri was born in Makati City, Philippines to a Negrense father from Bacolod City and a
Bicolana mother, Victoria Ocampo Fernandez of Libon, Albay who was raised in the province of
Bukidnon. He speaks Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and his father's native Hiligaynon. His father,
Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr., is the incumbent Bukidnon provincial governor.

MANNY PACQUIAO

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Pacquiao completed his elementary education at Saavedra Saway Elementary School in
General Santos City, but dropped out of high school due to extreme poverty. He left his home at
age 14 because his mother, who had six children, was not making enough money to support her
family. In February 2007 he took, and passed, a high school equivalency exam making him
eligible for college education. He was awarded with a high school diploma by the Department of
Education. Pacquiao enrolled for a college degree in business management at Notre Dame of
Dadiangas University (NDDU) in his hometown in General Santos City.
On February 18, 2009, Pacquiao was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of
Humanities (Honoris Causa) by Southwestern University (SWU) at the Waterfront Cebu City
Hotel & Casino in Lahug, Cebu City in recognition of his boxing achievements and humanitarian
work. In preparation for his career as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Pacquiao
enrolled in the Certificate Course in Development, Legislation and Governance at the
Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development
Management (DAP-GSPDM).
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Beyond boxing, Pacquiao has participated in basketball, business, acting, music
recording and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in
the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani. He was re-elected
in 2013 to the 16th Congress of the Philippines.
FAMILY HISTORY
Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. He is the
son of Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionisia Dapidran-Pacquiao. His parents separated when he was
in sixth grade, after his mother discovered that his father was living with another woman. He is
the fourth among six siblings: Liza Silvestre-Onding and Domingo Silvestre (from first husband
of his mother) and Isidra Pacquiao-Paglinawan, Alberto "Bobby" Pacquiao and Rogelio "Roel"
Pacquiao. Pacquiao married Jinkee Jamora on May 10, 2000. Together, they have five children,
Emmanuel Jr. (Jimuel), Michael Stephen, Mary Divine Grace, Queen Elizabeth and Israel.

RISA HONTIVEROS
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Hontiveros graduated cum laude with an Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences from
the Ateneo de Manila University. While at Ateneo, she was active in the student council, where
she participated in several campaigns against the martial law and advocated for peace and
justice within marginalized communities.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
She is a Filipino socialist activist and journalist, who was the representative of Akbayan
in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2004 to 2010. Hontiveros first entered
politics as the third nominee of Akbayan Party-list in the 2004 National Elections. She is one of
the prominent figures of the anti-GMA forces, especially during the height of the Hello Garci
controversy of 2005. In the International Women's Day of 2006, she was arrested and brought

to Camp Caringal in Quezon City without warrant despite the peaceful nature of the assembly
marking the global event. Hontiveros eventually became Akbayan's first nominee in the 2007
Midterm Elections. She was a member of the House Minority.
FAMILY HISTORY
Hontiveros was born on February 24, 1966 in Manila. Hontiveros' husband, Francisco
Baraquel, Jr., died in May 2005 after suffering from severe asthma. They had four children
together.

KIKO PANGILINAN
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He completed his elementary education at La Salle Green Hills in 1977. He completed
his secondary education still in La Salle Green Hills in 1981. He finished his college education
and graduated from University of the Philippines Diliman with a Bachelor of Arts in English,
Major in Comparative Literature.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
He is a Filipino lawyer who was a Senator of the Philippines from 2001 to 2013. In the
Senate he served as Senate Majority Leader from 2004 to 2008. In May 2014, Pangilinan was
appointed Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization by President
Benigno Aquino III. Pangilinan resigned from his post as food security secretary in September
2015 to run anew for the Senate under the Liberal Party of the Philippines.
FAMILY HISTORY
Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963 in Manila to
Donato Pangilinan, an engineer and entrepreneur from Pampanga, and Emma Nepomuceno, a
public school teacher from Nueva Ecija and Marinduque. He has eight siblings. He married to
actress and television personality Sharon Cuneta on April 28, 1996. Together, they have two
daughters and one adopted son. He is also the stepfather of actress and singer KC Concepcion,
Cuneta's daughter whom he legally adopted. Two other Pangilinan siblings also have
connections in local showbiz via marriage. His sister, Angeli Pangilinan, is a popular talent
manager who is married to singer Gary Valenciano. Another sibling, Anthony, is married to
former beauty queen and actress, Maricel Laxa.

WIN GATCHALIAN
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Congressman Win received elementary and secondary education from Grace Christian
School before earning a degree on business administration at Boston University in 1995. During
his college days, he also underwent basic life support trainings as a member of the International
Red Cross in Massachusetts, USA. He also took one-year language course on Mandarin at the
Beijing Language and Culture University in China from 1995 to 1996. Shortly after, he was able
to finish advanced studies on corporate finance at the Euromoney Institute of Finance in New
York in 1997.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
He is a Filipino politician and businessman. He was elected to the Philippine Senate in
2016. He was the representative of Valenzuela's first district from 2001 to 2004 and from 2013
to 2016; he also served as the city's mayor for three consecutive terms from 2004 to 2013.
FAMILY HISTORY
Gatchalian was born on April 6, 1974, the eldest of four children of Chinese-Filipino
business tycoon William Tiu Gatchalian and Dee Hua Ting. Gatchalian's siblings include Rexlon,
Weslie and non-politician Kenneth. Gatchalian made public his high regard for his father as a
model for hard work and perseverance.

RALPH RECTO
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Recto acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the College
of St. Benilde of De La Salle University-Manila. He entered the College of Public Administration
of the University of the Philippines, Diliman to acquire a Master of Public Administration degree;
he attended the program in the first semester from 1991-1992, but later entered the University
of Asia and the Pacific to take an 11-month course to acquire a Certificate in Business
Economics under the Strategic Business Economics Program of the university's School of
Economics. He also took up a Leadership Scholarship Course at the John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
He served as a member of the House of Representatives representing the 4th District of
Batangas from 1992 to 2001. He was then elected to the Senate, serving from 2001 to 2007. In
2007, Recto ran for reelection and lost because, as many analysts believed, he had authored
the unpopular EVAT (Expanded Value Added Tax) law. In July 2008 he was appointed to head
the National Economic and Development Authority, but resigned from his position in August
2009 in preparation for another run for the Senate in the 2010 election. Recto won a seat in the
Senate and was proclaimed as one of the winning senatorial candidates in the said 2010
Senate elections.
FAMILY HISTORY
Recto comes from a political family. His grandfather, the late nationalist and statesman
Claro M. Recto, was a Senator for several terms. His father, Atty. Rafael Recto, was an
Assemblyman during the Regular Batasang Pambansa. His older brother, Ricky Recto, was the
former vice governor of the province of Batangas. His late mother is Carmen Gonzalez-Recto.
His sister, Plinky Recto, is an actress and TV host. He is married to Batangas Governor Vilma
Santos-Recto, father to Ryan Christian and stepfather to Luis Philippe Manzano whom he
legally adopted.

LEILA DE LIMA
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

She completed basic education at the Consolacion Academy (now La Consolacion

College), where was bestowed as class Valedictorian. She graduated in 1980 from the De La
Salle University with an AB History degree. She finished her Bachelor of Laws (Salutatorian)
degree at the San Beda College of Law in 1985. She placed 8th in the 1985 Philippine Bar
Examinations with an 86.26% rating.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
She was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Chairperson of the
Commission on Human Rights on May 2008 and served until June 30, 2010 when she resigned
and appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as Secretary of the Philippine Department of
Justice. She resigned October 12, 2015 to focus on her candidacy for the Senate in the 2016
election.
FAMILY HISTORY
She is the eldest daughter of the former Philippine COMELEC Commissioner Vicente de
Lima and Norma Magistrado. She was born and raised in Iriga City of the province of
Camarines Sur, Philippines. She has two sons, Israel and Vincent Joshua. Her marriage with
Plaridel Bohol was annulled. De Lima's aunt, Julie de Lima, married Communist Party of the
Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison making him Leila de Lima's uncle by marriage.

HIS043: PHILIPPINE HISTORY W/ GOVERNANCE

AND CONSTITUTION
Educational Background, Political Experience and Family History of the President,
Vice-President and Senators of the Philippines

SANTIAGO, JENESSA D.
BS ECE 1EMC