JUAN MIGUEL "MIGZ" F. ZUBIRI
18th Congress
(Member, 20 August 2019 - 30 June 2022)
JUAN MIGUEL "MIGZ" F. ZUBIRI
18th Congress
(Member, 20 August 2019 - 30 June 2022)
SEP
11
2019
Seconding speech for GREGORIO B. HONASAN II for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology
Plenary Session No. 3, First Regular Session
Honorable Chairman, our Senate President, Sen. Tito Sotto, distinguished Members of the Commission, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
It is indeed a privilege to stand before this collegial Body and co-sponsor the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of the Hon. Gregorio “Gringo” Ballesteros Honasan II, as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
The DICT shall be the primary agency for the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop and promote the national ICT development agenda. Thus, it is evident that from this mandate, the agency should be spearheaded by someone who does not only possesses an impressive academic record and excellent managerial skills, but also possesses an extensive background on intelligence communication. I state for the record, that Tito Greg possesses all these qualifications.
Tito Greg, as he is fondly called here in the Senate, is a highly respected Class Baron of his batch at the Philippine Military Academy and a well-decorated soldier of our country. He has an extensive knowledge in legislation, being a member of the Senate for 21 years. During his long years in the Senate, Tito Greg would always grill the officials of the executive branch, what are the bases of their analyses and assumptions or if their decisions are based on sound and credible data. He would always ask for the data and information the agency has on a particular issue. That’s how he values the importance of data in governance and I am sure he will carry this meticulous attitude in the department. He is a person of unquestionable integrity and his unequivocal dedication to both humanitarian and public services are unparalleled. He is the epitome of an incorruptible public servant, Mr. President, as how we know him. With his strategic reform program for the DICT, we are a step closer in achieving the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of the Duterte Administration.
On a personal note, Mr. President, when I was a young teenager, I was starstruck at this mestizo in fatigue uniform carrying a gallil rifle known only as “Gringo” at the time. He had achieved a cult status, I’m sure many of you would agree with me -- he achieved a cult status, a reformist in the Armed Forces who was committed to change and risked his life for it. He was our original lodi and continues to be my lodi. Why? Because, he is such a humble public servant and for most of you who have worked with him in this hall – in the halls of this august Chamber, you know how humble he is. He is a loving husband to Tita Jane, a loving father to his children and now a doting grandfather. He is a true officer and gentleman and a true trabahador ng taongbayan.
Thus, it is for this foregoing reason that I am proud to second for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of a former senator and a former member of this Commission on Appointments, Senator, now Secretary, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, as Secretary for the Information and Communications Technology Department.
I so move, Mr. Chairman.
FEB
26
2020
Sponsorship speech for WENDELL ELIOT AVISADO for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment as Secretary, Department of Budget and Management
Plenary Session No. 10, First Regular Session
Maraming salamat, our distinguished Chairperson, Senate President!
First of all, thank you also to the Majority Floor Leader, my distinguished colleagues, a pleasant good afternoon.
The Committee on Budget and Management conducted its first public hearing this morning to hear and deliberate on the ad interim appointment of Secretary Wendel Eliot Avisado issued by and submitted to this Commission by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
It is this humble representation’s distinct privilege and honor to recommend to the Plenary for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of the subject appointee, a fellow Mindanaoan, Secretary Avisado of the Department of Budget and Management.
Secretary Avisado, ladies and gentlemen, is truly a product of Mindanao: he was born in Surigao City in the province of Surigao del Norte in 1953; he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the Southern Island College in General Santos City, which he completed in 1974; and, graduated from the Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City in 1978, with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
He started his career immediately after earning his college degree, working as a cargo clerk at Philippine Airlines in Davao City. He exhibited diligence and perseverance early in his life when he took on the life of a working student while pursuing his law studies, where he even managed to graduate with distinction. He then worked as a billing clerk for Davao Light and Power Company while reviewing for the Philippine Bar examinations, which he passed in 1980. Our subject appointee dedicated the early years of his legal career in the private sector, but it would appear that the call to public service was just too hard for him to refuse.
He entered government service in 1986 and carried on to occupy various key positions, including: Regional Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Regions XI and XII from 1986 to 1989; Director IV of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Regional Office XI from 1989 to 1993; Councilor of the First District of Davao City from 1998 to 2001; and, City Administrator of then Davao Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte from 2004 to 2010.
In May 2010, Secretary Avisado ran anew and topped the race for councilors of the First District of Davao City but later on he resigned in August of the same year to take the position of a Deputy Secretary General of the Housing and Urban Development Council, a post that he held from 2010 to 2015. He briefly served as the Acting Secretary General of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines from 2015 to 2016, before finally being appointed as Presidential Assistant for Special Concerns in December 2016. As Presidential Assistant, he was in-charge of overseeing the rehabilitation and reconstruction programs of the housing projects for the Yolanda Typhoon Survivors.
Recognized for his competence, dedication and hard work, Secretary Avisado was appointed once again and this time, as Head of the Department of Budget and Management in August of 2019. He has only been in the position for seven months but Secretary Avisado is already being lauded for the Agency’s accomplishments. Among them, were the early enactment of the 2020 Php 4.1 trillion National Budget and the speedy enactment of Republic Act 11466, otherwise known as the “Salary Standardization Law 5”; he is also being praised for advocating transparency in the service; and, he is the first DBM Secretary to submit a detailed report on the Agency’s appropriation, allocation, disbursement and balances in every cabinet meeting.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the good Secretary for providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MFBM-BARMM) as they crafted the first ever 2020 Bangsamoro Expenditure Program. As you may very well know, we, in Congress, worked hard for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018 and I am happy to see that all our ideas are finally coming to realization. I am all the more pleased to know that our brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro are getting the assistance and support they need from no less than the national government’s top expert in budgetary matters and concerns and fiscal management.
Mr. Chairman, with this extensive experience and expertise in various areas such as public management, local governance, and planning and strategy, I believe that Secretary Avisado can competently lead the Department of Budget and Management as it works for the timely and effective disbursement of public funds for the benefit of the Filipino people. Thus, I have the honor, Mr. Chairman, to move for the confirmation of the Commission on plenary the ad interim appointment of the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management of the Philippines, no other than Secretary Wendel Eliot Avisado.
I so move, Mr. Chairman.
MAR
11
2020
Seconding speech for SARA ZIMMERMAN DUTERTE for the confirmation of her ad interim appointment to the rank of Colonel (Reserved), Armed Forces of the Philippines
Plenary Session No. 12, First Regular Session
Mr. President, mine is an endorsement of two candidates for promotion today, of course, Inday Sara, the beloved Mayor of Davao, being our neighbor from Bukidnon.
Everyone knows we share the same boundaries. She is very well-loved by, not only the people of Davao, but also the people of Bukidnon, and it’s nice to see her today for promotion and hopefully, we can see her as -- to promote her as a General, as well, of the reservist force.
MAR
11
2020
Seconding speech for ISIDRO TOM UNGAB for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment to the rank of Colonel (Reserve), Armed Forces of the Philippines
Plenary Session No. 12, First Regular Session
Also, for Congressman Isidro Ungab, we share the same boundaries, as well, but I used to be the District Chairman of the Third District of Bukidnon and he is the Third District Representative of Davao City.
We share the same areas, the same people, the Matigsalug tribes and IPs. He is a very well-loved person, Mr. President, a very decent man and also because he is a product of my university, University of the Philippines at Los Baños. That’s -- only a few of his batch from the UPLB who pursued their careers in politics. He is one of our proud alumni.
Thank you, Mr. President.
AUG
24
2020
Seconding speech for EDGARDO Y. DE LEON for the consent of his appointment to the rank of Major General, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Plenary Session No. 1, Second Regular Session
Thank you very much, Mr. President, Mr. Chairman.
Honorable Chairman Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, by the way whose birthday is being celebrated today, happy birthday, SP Sotto.
Esteemed colleagues of both Houses, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon from the beautiful boundary of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro.
It is my honor to speak before this Honorable Body to co-sponsor the confirmation on the ad interim appointment of Edgardo Yao De Leon to the rank of Major General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Maj. Gen. Booggie De Leon, as he is fondly called, has been in the military service for 35 years since he started as a PMA Cadet in 1984. He is a skilled military commander who garnered numerous awards and citations throughout his career. And, we, in Bukidnon, were blessed to have been given the chance to work with him before he took his own current role as Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Operations at the General Headquarters of the AFP. And we, being a peaceful province today, is a testament of the work that he has done.
Major General Booggie served as Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Malaybay City, Bukidnon, from November 18 to January 2020. And during his very short stint, he was able to do so much for my beloved province.
He is recognized in establishing the convergence of areas for peace and development captive programs and for creating the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in the municipality of Cabanglasan in Bukidnon. We value that work that he has done to promote peace and order in our region. With his vast experience and expertise, I am confident that he can ably continue his work of bringing peace and development, not only in Mindanao but with the whole nation as well.
With the above-mentioned points, Mr. Chairman, it is my honor to second the motion to confirm the ad interim appointment of Gen. Edgardo "Boogie" De Leon to the rank of Major General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
SEP
16
2020
Seconding speech for MOHD. NOORDIN PENDOSINA NOOR LOMONDOT for the consent of his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Kuwait
Plenary Session No. 3, Second Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
I just would like to strongly endorse the appointment of Ambassador Lomondot and we congratulate him for his appointment to Kuwait as Ambassador, Mr. President.
Thank you.
SEP
23
2020
Seconding speech for TORIBIO ELISES ILAO JR. for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment as Member, Judicial and Bar Council
Plenary Session No. 4, Second Regular Session
Mr. President, Honorable Chairman, Vicente Sotto III, members of both Houses, good afternoon.
Today I have the honor and privilege to co-sponsor the ad interim appointment of the Honorable Justice Toribio Elises Ilao Jr. as member of the Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines, representing the Private Sector, for his second term.
Our subject appointee possesses notable credentials having completed his Bachelor of Laws Degree from San Beda College of Law in 1972; Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Degree from San Beda College of Arts and Sciences in 1967; and, through his illustrious career he has won awards, many hats of awards, among them, as a private law practitioner from 1978 to 1990; legal consultant to then Sen. Orly Mercado from 1988 to 1990; as a Provincial Adjudicator and later on as a Regional Adjudicator of the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board from 1991 to 2004; as a Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Palawan, as well as the Regional Trial Court of Taguig up to 2016; and, as an instructor of law at the National College of Business Administration from 1978 to 1980 and also from Palawan University College of Law from 2005 to 2006.
He is intelligent, meticulous and highly regarded for his sense of fairness and impartiality. And I believe with his qualities, with his almost 50 years of experience and for the JBC, Justice Ilao is the best candidate for the Body. His main task is to recommend appointees of proven competence, integrity and probity, as well as independence in the Judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman. And not to mention, Mr. President, he is highly recommended by Senator Gordon, who calls me everyday to remind me about supporting you, Justice Ilao. And I told him, I already moved in the previous Congress for your approval, I will move for it again.
So, with the aforementioned points, it is with great honor that I am seconding the motion for the confirmation by this Commission the ad interim appointment of the Honorable Toribio Ilao Jr. as member of the Judicial and Bar Council of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, representing the Private Sector.
Congratulations, Sir.
Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Chairman.
NOV
19
2020
Seconding speech for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of: BENEDICT M. AREVALO, to the rank of Brigadier General, Armed Forces of the Philippines; EDMUND PAUL R. DELOS SANTOS, JOSE EDUARDO F. LIBOON, and PETER EDWIN R. NAVARRO, to the ranks of Colonel, Armed Forces of the Philippines; and for the consent of the appointment of FERDINAND T. BARANDON, to the rank of Brigadier General, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Plenary Session No. 9, Second Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
I second the motion for Major General Benedict Arevalo.
He served well as a Corps Commander of the 29th Infantry Battalion for 402nd Infantry Division and protected our provinces, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, as well as Cagayan De Oro, during that period and we thank him for his service, Mr. President.
Together, to hasten the proceedings, I would also like to make special mention of all the officers, men and women, who have served us and who are here present, nominated and appointed, as well; the service of Col. Ferdinand Barandon, who is presently our Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, he is here with us today also for his appointment, I second for that, as well; Col. Edmund Paul Delos Santos who also served -- he also served with us in Bukidnon as our -- in Baungon, actually, Impasugong, Bukidnon, for the 403rd Infantry Brigade; as well as Col. Eduardo Ferrer Liboon who was also once upon a time the Commanding Officer of our Engineering Support Battalion; and, as well as Col. Peter Edwin Rasul Navarro who used to be the Commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion in Bukidnon.
I thank them for their services to our country and province mates.
Thank you, Mr. President.
JUN
02
2021
Seconding speech for KARL KENDRICK TIU CHUA for the consent of his appointment as Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Plenary Session No. 16, Second Regular Session
Mr. Chairman, I second the motion of the distinguished Chairman of the Committee.
We would like to second, Mr. Chairman, the nomination of Sec. Karl Chua, well deserving indeed. As I said, and I agree with the distinguished colleague from Batangas, I wish all our Cabinet secretaries their profiles would be just like his.
He is a good man, Mr. Chairman, and I hope that he can be retained in the next administration whoever leads this nation.
Maraming salamat po.
SEP
22
2021
Seconding speech for JOSE CATRAL MENDOZA for the confirmation of his ad interim appointment as Member, representing the retired justices of the Supreme Court, Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines, for a term expiring on 9 July 2025
Plenary Session No. 5, Third Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
I, too, would like to second the motion for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Justice Mendoza.
He is a man of integrity and has done so much for the Judicial branch of government in this country. He deserves this position and I would like to second the motion as well, Mr. President, Mr. Chair.
DEC
01
2021
Seconding speech for REY ECHAVARRIA BULAY for the consent of his appointment as Commissioner, Commission on Elections (COMELEC), for a term expiring on 02 February 2027, vice Luie Tito F. Guia
Plenary Session No. 7, Third Regular Session
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My apologies. I really wanted to be there today. I just landed at the airport. But so as not to delay the proceedings, I just went online.
I would like to just second the nomination, Mr. Chairman, of Com. Rey Bulay, who was at one point in time, when I used to live with my parents in Alabang in the early ‘90s and mid ‘90s, was our councilor, and I clearly remember Commissioner Bulay being one of our outstanding councilors of Muntinlupa. And not to mention the fact that he is also a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos. He’s my co-alumni in UPLB. So, I would like to second the motion of Chairman Villar for his appointment as a member of the Commission.
Maraming salamat po and congratulations.
JAN
26
2022
Seconding speech for MARIO GONZALES LIPANA for the consent of his appointment as Commissioner, Commission on Audit (COA) for a term expiring on 02 February 2027, vice Jose A. Fabia
Plenary Session No. 9, Third Regular Session
May I also move for the -- or second the motion, rather, for the Commission to give its consent to the nomination of Commissioner Mario Gonzales Lipana of the Commission on Audit.
Mr. President, if I may, Mr. President, nothing brings me greater joy than seeing competent, dedicated, and deserving officials rise from the ranks of government. And it gives our employees and officials something to look hard and forward to, and likewise provides them with the morale booster that they sometimes need.
We have before us today Commissioner Lipana who has been with the Commission on Audit for thirty eight (38) years. And in his thirty eight (38) years with the Commission on Audit, Commissioner Lipana has remained simple, and has maintained the excellent work ethics that has brought him this far in his career. Aside from his extensive knowledge in the field of auditing, he has always been a dependable and approachable official medley helping us, and I remember this, during my first term in the Senate, he was with us as our Auditor. And he was also the Supervising Auditor of the different national agencies including, as I said earlier, the Senate, Office of the President, and the COMELEC. With values, devotion to his work in the government, and with his vast experiences and, I believe, there is no better candidate for the position of a Commissioner of the Commission on Audit than this gentleman here today.
With the above mentioned points, Mr. President, it is with great honor that I am seconding the motion for the Commission to give its consent to the nomination of Commissioner Mario Gonzales Lipana. Congratulations, Sir.
I so move, Mr. President.
FEB
02
2022
Seconding speech for RYAN ALVIN RIVERA ACOSTA for the consent of his appointment as Commissioner, Civil Service Commission (CSC) for a term expiring on 02 February 2027, vice Leopoldo Roberto W. Valderosa Jr.
Plenary Session No. 10, Third Regular Session
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you for allowing me to have the honor to second the nomination for the Commission to give its consent to the nomination of Commissioner Ryan Alvin Rivera Acosta of the Civil Service Commission.
Commissioner Acosta comes highly recommended by his superiors and colleagues in the government, who has been serving as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs in the Office of the President since 2017. At the young age of forty two (42), I can say that he has made for himself a well-rounded impressive resume with experience in both private practice and public service. He is a product of arguably the best law school in the country and I’d like to second the motion or the manifestation of our dear Senate Minority Floor Leader, the University of the Philippines College of Law, and Cum Laude Graduate of the University of the Philippines, Manila, where he completed his BA in Political Science degree. He is a highly competent individual, accomplished official, who remains committed to serving the government and the Filipino people. And with his leadership skills and belief in meritocracy, I believe, Commissioner Acosta is the best candidate for the position of Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission.
It is with the above-mentioned points with great honor that I am seconding the motion for the Commission to give its consent to the nomination of Commissioner Ryan Alvin Rivera Acosta.
Maraming salamat, Mr. President.