Greco Belgica
Greco B. Belgica | |
|---|---|
 Belgica in 2019 | |
| Chairman of thePresidential Anti-Corruption Commission | |
| In office March 15, 2021 – October 8, 2021 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Dante Jimenez |
| Succeeded by | Atty. Fortunato G. Guerrero |
| Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission | |
| In office January 12, 2018 – March 14, 2021 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Chairman | Dante Jimenez |
| Succeeded by | Atty. Baldr H. Bringas |
| Member of theManila City Councilfrom the6thdistrict | |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1978 Manila,Philippines |
| Political party | PDDS(2018–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent(2015–2018) DPP(2012–2015) Liberal(until 2012) |
| Spouse | Nina Rizzi Velasco Belgica |
| Parent(s) | Grepor "Butch" Belgica(father) Carmelita Banta Belgica(mother) |
| Residence | Manila |
| Alma mater | San Beda College(BS) University of California, Berkeley National Defense College of the Philippines |
Greco Antonious Beda Banta Belgica(born March 27, 1978) is a Filipino politician who most recently served as chairman of thePresidential Anti-Corruption Commission(PACC) under theDuterte administrationfrom March to October 2021.
Education[edit]
He graduated fromSan Beda Collegewith aBachelor of Sciencedegree in Marketing and Commerce, and earned his postgraduate degree in International Trade and Commerce at theUniversity of California, Berkeley.He was also one of 42 graduates who completed the pilot class of the Executive Master of Arts in National Security Administration (E-MNSA) at theNational Defense College of the Philippines.
Political career[edit]
He was elected as Councilor of theCity of Manilain2004at the age of 26 and was nicknamed "Batang Magaling".He lost reelection in2007.
Belgica ran as a candidate in the2013 Philippine Senate electionunder the newly accreditedDemocratic Party of the Philippines,but failed to win a seat.[1][2]
One of Belgica's campaign promises was aflat taxsystem for the Philippines; in particular, a simple, one-time, and one kind tax of not more than 10% only on net income on both individual and business profits. He also espouses belief in alimitedanddecentralizedform of government, afree market,andChristian fundamentalism.He leads the campaign to convert the PDAF and other discretionary funds of politicians to tuition vouchers for all students and capital for families, individuals and businessmen. He believes that money and resources should be in the hands of people and not with politicians and government.[3]
Belgica is the Founder of the Truth and Justice Coalition (TJC), a non-stock, non-profit non-government organization which envisions a progressive government where corruption is abhorred and public accountability prevails.
In the2016 Senate election,he ran again for a senate seat as an independent candidate and supportedRodrigo Dutertefor President.But again, he failed to win a seat.
On January 12, 2018, he was appointed Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) under theOffice of the President of the Philippines.
On October 30, 2018, he Founded thePederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan(PDDS), a national political party accredited by theCommission on Elections(COMELEC)
He resigned from his post in the PACC to run again for a Senate seat in the2022 election.He ran underPDDSbut lost, finishing 37th.
Belgica v. Ochoa[edit]
In 2013, nine petitions were filed before theSupreme Court of the Philippinesregarding the constitutionality of thepork barrelsystem. One of these petitions were filed by Belgica and his group. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners, with a unanimous vote of 14-0-1 abstain, and said that pork barrel system is unconstitutional.
In its landmark decision G.R. No. 208566 the Supreme Court defined that the pork barrel funds are lump sum discretionary funds appropriated in both the executive and legislative department. It further held, that there two kinds of pork barrel funds. The executive lump sum discretionary funds and the legislative lump sum discretionary fund known as the PDAF.
However, in his stint as commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Belgica stated thatJanet Lim-Napoles,believed to have masterminded the PDAF Scam, is not really the 'mastermind', just 'willing beneficiary'.[4]
Personal life[edit]
He is the son of former Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs, Grepor "Butch" Belgica. His younger brother, Atty. Jeremiah B. Belgica, previously served as the first ever Director-General of theAnti-Red Tape Authority.
AnElderat The Lord's Vineyard Covenant Community, aFull Gospelchurch where his father is a Senior Elder, he is president of Yeshua Change Agents, anon-government organizationinvolved in anti-drug campaigns, and advocating societal reform along Biblical principles.
A health and wellness buff, his sporting interests include basketball, swimming, andtaekwondo.
He is also the founder of ReformPH Movement, and a member of theFraternal Order of Eagles.
Filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
- Bagong Pilipinas(People's Television Network) (2017)
- Ireklamo Kay Greco(DZRH News Television) (2016–2019)
- #GrecoLive(DZRJ-AM) (2016) with CJ Santos
References[edit]
- ^Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (October 26, 2012)."Comelec approves 5 more senatorial bets".Rappler.RetrievedJanuary 1,2013.
- ^"Portfolio and List of Services – Blitz Communication Philippines".Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 3,2013.
- ^Pedroche, Al G. (November 17, 2012)."Greco Belgica – From councilor to senator".Philippine Star.RetrievedJanuary 1,2013.
- ^Talabong, Rambo (March 27, 2013)."PACC: Napoles not pork barrel 'mastermind', just 'willing beneficiary'".Rappler.RetrievedJuly 18,2018.
External links[edit]
Senatorial campaign