BGen Benjamin I Espiritu PN(M) (Res) PhD MNSA
President
Dr. Benjamin Espiritu is a Certified Public Accountant, President of Risks, Opportunities Assessment and Management, (ROAM) Inc., Chairman of Banco de Mindoro, Inc., CEO of Laudibus League Holdings, Inc., President of EC Ventures Corporation and heads several other private corporations and two family foundations. He is also an Independent Director of four publicly-listed corporations, Central Azucarera de Tarlac, Southern Philippines Nueva Ecija Corporation, Dizon Copper Silver Mines, NiHao Mineral Resources International, Inc., and of an insurance company, Intrastrata Assurance Corporation.
He is President of the Mindoro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Chairman of the Philippine Marine Corps Board of Advisers and President of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association, Inc.
He is a corporate governance practitioner who has trained roughly over 5,000 directors of banks, publicly listed companies, insurance companies and distribution utilities since 2002. He has also written numerous articles on corporate governance, and authored research papers on the subject that have been presented at international academic fora.
In government, Dr. Espiritu served as Provincial Governor of Oriental Mindoro. Under his leadership, Oriental Mindoro became a 1st Class Province.
In the military, he is a Brigadier General and former Commander of the 7th Marine Brigade (Reserve) which has the entire Luzon as its area of responsibility. Under his command, the 7th Marine Brigade was adjudged as the AFP Ready Reserve Unit of the Year for three consecutive years – 2013, 2014 and 2015 (Brigade/Wing Level) and Philippine Navy Reserve Unit of the Year also for six straight years – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
In the academe, he was the former Chairman of the Board of Regents of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) concurrent Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ospital ng Maynila (Hospital of Manila) Medical Center, President of Don Bosco Technical College Mandaluyong, and Dean of Far Eastern University – Makati. He was also Chairman of the Accounting, Finance, Business and Governance Department of De La Salle University Graduate School of Business, Program Coordinator of the Doctor of Business Administration program, and Course Director of the Corporate Governance and Risk Management program.
In sports, he is a Director of the Larong Hockey sa Pilipinas, Inc. (Philippine Hockey Association) and a Director of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA). He was also formerly Chairman of Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., and President of the Philippine Olympic Academy. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission to the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, NOC Attaché to the 2011 Southeast Asian Games, Chef de Mission to the 3rd Asian Beach Games in 2012, Member of the Management Committee to the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, Delegation Official to the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Head of Security of the RP contingent to the 2017 South East Asian Games.
He is a regular columnist of the Daily Tribune and used to write for BusinessWorld, Manila Standard, City Life and military publications such as Citemar 6 and the Navy Journal.
Dr. Espiritu earned his Doctor of Philosophy major in Public Administration degree from the University of Santo Tomas (graduating Meritissimus/Highest Merit); Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines (Gold Medal-Leadership; Special Award-Academic Excellence; Special Award-Best Thesis); Master of Business Administration from De La Salle University; and Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting, also from De La Salle University.
He completed the Basic Management Program at the Asian Institute of Management (1975) and the Naval Command and General Staff Course at the Naval Command and Staff College (2001) where he finished at the top of the Non-Resident Instruction (NRI) group.
His book, “A Practical Guide to Completed Staff Work (CSW)” (co-authored with Dr. Leonora Vasquez-De Jesus), is being used by several large organizations both in the public and private sectors.
Dr. Espiritu was named Most Outstanding Faculty Member of the De La Salle Professional Schools Graduate School of Business in 2001, and in 2006 was given a Most Outstanding Alumnus award. In 2005, he received the St. Antoninus of Florence Award (Outstanding Alumnus in the field of Public Administration) from the UST Graduate School and the UST Graduate School Alumni Association, Inc. He was given an Outstanding Alumnus Award by the National Defense College of the Philippines and the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association, Inc. in 2007, 2014 and 2017. In 2020, he was awarded the Distinguished Bedan Award in the field of Education by the San Beda University Alumni Association.
In 2010, he received the Ulirang Ama Award in the field of education from the National Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Foundation, Inc., and in 2013, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Outstanding Graduate Award from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
COL DANTE M LANTIN PN-M(Res) MNSA
Vice-President
Co-Chairman, Pandayan Awards Committee
He has served the government for about 31 years. He bowed out of public service last 01 July 2018, having reached the compulsory age of 65, as the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance, Department of Transportation (DOTr), a position he held since 2003. He is the former Chairman, Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB), July 1992-September 2003; Acting Chairman, LTFRB, February 1992-Juy 1992, and; Board Member, LTFRB, 1987 to 1992. He also headed the Law Enforcement Service of Land Transportation Office (LTO) in concurrent capacity in 1991.
In 28 February 2019, he was called again to render active public service when President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed him as Commissioner of the Philippine Racing Commission for a term of four (4) years.
He holds the following degrees: Master of Science in Industrial Economics, University of Asia & the Pacific; Master in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines, Doctor of Philosophy in Peace & Security Administration, Bicol University, and Liberal Arts, De La Salle University-Manila. He also took up Law (lacking in units) in San Beda College and Arellano University.
He is a recipient of various honors/awards: Outstanding Alumnus (National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP); Distinguished Lasallian (DLSU-Manila); Distinguished Lasallian (DLS-Lipa); Outstanding Alumnus (Maryknoll Academy, Lipa City); Golden Achievers Award (Outstanding Lipeño) for Public Service; Center for Excellence in Government Service, LTFRB; Model Reservist of the Year (Philippine Navy (Marines); Military Commendation Medal (Philippine Marines); Outstanding JCI Senator for Clean and Honest Government Administration, and; Most Outstanding Jaycee.
He is a Reservist of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy (Marines), Reserve, with rank of Colonel; a member of the Rotary Club of Manila Bay, Manila Jaycee Senate and Philippine Jaycee Senate.
Before he joined the government, he served as Senior Economist, University of Asia & the Pacific; Manager, Corporate Planning Department, Inter-Asia Investments Industries, Inc.; Manager, Corporate Planning Department, Philippine Airlines (PAL), and; part-time Instructor in several universities.
LTC DOLORES DE QUIROS-CASTILLO PA (RES) MNSA
Secretary General
Ms. Dolores B de Quiros-Castillo continues to enjoy a fulfilling professional life as a consultant, educator and practitioner in the fields of policy development and analysis, gender and development, human resource and organizational development, social reform, and poverty alleviation.
In recent years, she served in the private sector as Industry Manager/Consultant of Geodata Systems Technology, Inc. (2015-present), and Consultant of the Philippine-Australia Human Resource and Organization Development Facility of Australian Aid (2012-2015), as well as in various government positions as Assistant Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) (2004-2010), Director IV of the Office of the President of the Republic (1998-2004), and Supervising Legislative Officer of the Senate of the Philippines/ Senate Electoral Tribunal (1996-1998). Early on, she spent about 12 years in leading non-government organizations, such as BUNSO-National Coalition for the Promotion of Breastfeeding, PILIPINA, WAND, and PINOI. In prior decade (1975-1985), she served as college professor of Mathematics and Management and as College Planning Officer at the Ateneo de Naga University (1980-85), as well as Highschool Planning Assistant and faculty in the same university (1975- 1980).
She was graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1975) in Ateneo de Naga, Naga City, a Master of Arts in Educational Management and Planning (1982) in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, a Master in National Security Administration (2003) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Quezon City, and finished a military course at the AFP Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in 2006. At present, she is taking up doctoral degree (PhD) in Organizational Development at the Southeast Asian Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI), Antipolo City.
She is a Civil Service Executive Eligible (CSEE), a Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Army Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a member of the AFP General Staff Corps (GSC). She also holds leadership role in various organizations, such as NDCP Alumni Association, Inc. (Trustee), Women in International Security-Philippines (Trustee), Zonta International, District 17 (Area 1 Secretary), Zonta Club of Mandaluyong-San Juan Foundation, Inc. (Past President), Ateneo de Naga University Alumni Association – Metro Manila Chapter, Inc. (Trustee).
ENGR. JOSEPH ROSS S JOCSON, MNSA
Treasurer
LTC CHRISTOPHER M CAMBA PA(Res) MNSA
Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Affairs
Christopher M. Camba possesses more than 20 years of solid corporate and professional experience in Audit, Finance, Human Resource, Operations, Marketing & Sales, Branding & Communications, Business Process Design and Government Relations. As the current First Vice President for Corporate External Relations of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), he designed and institutionalized several corporate programs on Organizational Development (Leadership Development, Talent Management, Rewards and Recognition), Change Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation and Transformation, Culture Building and Public-Private Partnerships.
He is actively involved in community development through his affiliations in professional and community organizations, namely: Junior Chamber International-Cebu Chapter, People Management Association of the Philippines–Cebu Chapter, Institute for Internal Auditors–Cebu Chapter and the Junior Chamber International-Philippines. He also served as National Chairman for the Search for Ten Outstanding Young Men TOYM (2016) and as National Chairman for National Search for The Outstanding Young Filipinos TOFIL (2018). Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board.
In 1999, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of San Carlos (USC), which granted him the Presidential Citation Award for exemplary achievement and the citation as one of the Ten Outstanding Graduates. In 1998, he was chosen as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Leaders of USC, Ten Outstanding Cebuano Youth Leaders and Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines for Region 7.
In 2019, he was baptized as “Datu Sandigan” of the Obo Manobo tribe of North Cotabato. On the same year, he was adopted as honorary member by the 1991 PMA Sambisig Class.
In 2021, he graduated with the degree of Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) and received the Leadership Award from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). In 2022, he was designated as the Class President of MNSA Executive Class 01 (MNSA EC-01).
CAPT ALDRIN C CUÑA PN(RES) MNSA
Chairman, Committee on Education
Capt. Aldrin C Cuña currently serves as the Executive Vice-President of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). In previous years, his work focused on significant functions as the City Administrator of Quezon City. As such, he developed programs to help the Mayor manage the city, catered to the administrative concerns of city projects, and undertook coordination and monitoring of different city agencies, and other local government units in the interest of public service. Early on, he served as Chief of Staff of the City Mayor, and Legislative Affairs Chief of the Office of the Vice Mayor, Quezon City.
He is involved in civic activities as Fire Marshal of the Association of Philippine Volunteer Fire Brigades Inc. He is also the incumbent President and Fire Chief of the Central District Fire and Rescue Volunteer Brigade Inc. He is also the Commander of the 21st Naval Group, Naval Forces Reserve of the National Capital Region of the Philippine Navy covering six local government units (Quezon, CAMANAVA Cities and Bulacan).
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from De La Salle University in Manila City. He graduated from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) with a degree in Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) and was a distinguished member of MNSA Regular Class 41
ATTY. JAIME T DE VEYRA, MNSA
Co-Chairman, Pandayan Awards Committee
Atty. Jaime de Veyra, hails from Tanauan, Leyte. After a short stint in the private practice of law, he joined the government sector in 1998 as Corporate Attorney and eventually became the Corporate Secretary of the then Public Estates Authority (now PRA).
In 2003, he joined the Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) and served in various capacities as Chief Legal Counsel, Corporate Secretary, CEO and is presently its Vice President. He previously worked also, on a part time basis, with the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) and served as consultant to other private corporations. He is currently the President of the Philippine Association of Government Corporate Lawyers (PAGC Law).
Aside from his AB Economics and Bachelor Law degree from San Beda University, he also has Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ateneo Business School and Masters in National Security Administration (MNSA) degree from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).
LTC JUDITH PAZ GERONGA-DOLOT PAF(Res) MNSA
Chairman, Legacy Project Committee
Chairman, Alumni Homecoming Organizing Committee
Born to a family of military servicemen and civil servants, Ms. Judith Paz Geronga-Dolot has been regarded by many as a no non-sense silent worker with an intense passion for excellence and continuous improvement. Imbued with this passion, “Ms. Judith” graduated Salutatorian in elementary, Valedictorian in high school and Cum Laude in her undergraduate course with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman. Fresh from college, she embarked on a career in government service beginning 1986 to date.
From 1986 to 2007, Ms. Judith worked at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) working her way up the corporate ladder. While working, she pursued her graduate studies and earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from UP Diliman in October 1993. In 1997, she was appointed Media Affairs Manager and was designated as Official Spokesperson of MIAA and concurrent Head of its Complaints and Action Center. Not long after, she was promoted to head the Public Affairs Department (PAD) where she successfully led her Team in managing the orderly airport reception for many international events, to include the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit with nineteen (19) Heads of Economies visiting the country in a day. Her expertise in organizational planning, operational management and technical coordination were honed further in the succeeding years. As such, she was designated Assistant Project Manager for Operational Readiness and Terminal Transfer (ORATT) for the NAIA Terminal 3 Project.
In 2007, she was conferred her Master’s degree in National Security Administration (MNSA), graduating with the Regular Class (RC)-42. With her MNSA degree, Ms. Judith made a major career change as she took on the job at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – Security, Investigation and Transport Department (SITD), where she became the first woman to head its uniformed Security Group in-charge of its special operations. Specifically, her group is responsible for the electronic security management systems, personnel protection services as well as the security escort services for the distribution of currency nationwide. She was also designated as the first Executive Officer of the BSP Incident Management Team (IMT), mandated with the responsibility of drawing up the framework and operations manual for emergency response and incident management bankwide. With her current rank as Deputy Director, she has endeavoured to uplift the image and professionalism of the BSP Security Force, emphasizing the value of mainstreaming women in the policy planning, strategy development and operational management of the BSP Security Force, as it navigates the rapidly changing and digitalized global environment of central banking. To date, recruitment of women in the BSP Security has increased from 0.9% in 2007 to 6.8% in 2018.
Ms. Judith is married to a social realist artist, Marvin, and they have been blessed with two sons, Justin Migo and Jose Manuel.
MR. ROSALINO M GARCIA MNSA
Vice-Chairman, Ways and Means Committee
Rosalino M Garcia hails from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University. His professional career started when he joined prestigious corporations such as Citibank and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan. In 2011, he served as Government Relations Consultant to the President of San Miguel Corporation. He is one of the pioneers of San Miguel Infrastructure, and is now currently in its Government and Public Relations Team.
He graduated from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) with a degree of Master in National Security Administration (MNSA). He was a recipient of the Leadership Award that marked his distinct qualities as President of Regular Class 54.
USEC RICARDO B JALAD AFP(Ret) MNSA
Chairman, Committee on Public Affairs
Undersecretary Ricardo B Jalad is a Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) alumnus of the National Defense College of the Philippines, and the 12th Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, having assumed the post on June 30, 2016.
He also completed the following specialized studies: Executive Course in Security Studies at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, USA; Command and General Staff Course at the Training and Doctrine Command in the Philippines Army; and Regimental Officer Advance Course at the School of Armour in Australia.
He has been serving the Filipino public for almost 32 years as an officer of the Philippine Army. A member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, he retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines on January 28, 2015, with the rank of Brigadier General.
His last military assignment was as Assistant Division Commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela, and Acting Commander of the same Division. He also served in other military assignments as Brigade Commander, Chief of the Unified Command Staff, Inspector General, Battalion Commander, as well as Task Group Commander.
“Ric”, as friends call him, was born on January 28, 1959, in Alburquerque, Bohol. He is married and has one son and three daughters.
CMDRE RODRIGO C MEJIA IV
Co-Chairman, Membership Committee
Commodore Rodrigo C Mejia IV is a strategic consultant involved in the consultancy for government agencies, multi-national companies and think-tanks. He is the President and CEO of Trident Defense, Incorporated.
CAPT JEREMIAS M SIMON PCGA (MNSA)
Co-Chairman, Membership Committee
Capt. Jeremias M Simon is a proud member of National Defense College of the Philippines MNSA RC 50. He is likewise an alumnus of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy as a member of Class 1986. Aside from his maritime academics he took Private Pilot Course in Fil Air Aviation School in 1990 and was a Fellow in the US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings’ Point, New York under the Study of Regimental System in 1991.
Due to his maritime expertise, he joined the 202nd Marine Reserve Battalion of former Vice President Jejomar Binay. Being a commissioned reserve officer of the Philippine Navy, he continues to spend his time and participation with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary under the 107th Squadron where he served as Squadron Director (2015-2018) and then as Deputy Auxiliary District for Operations at the Coast Guard Auxiliary District NCR-CL since 2018.
In his professional career, he serves as the current Country Director of Oshirak Group International based in Washington, DC, USA and with a Shipyard in Halong Bay, Vietnam. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Oceana Naval and Maritime Consultancy Corp., a maritime engineering company providing solutions in marine engineering and maritime business management. In addition, he is a technical and corporate envoy for a French Ship building company in Les Sable d’ Olonne, France. He has been a business development consultant for HDW-Hellenic project in 2002 to 2006 working directly with its COO in Germany.
He spends most of his spare time with the Philippine Coast Guard in the conduct of technical consultancies and HADR operations, as well as with its Auxiliary Squadron in providing support in Search and Rescue, Relief Operations, Maritime Environmental campaigns, and Maritime Safety. His interest in sports are golf, practical shooting, and drone photography.
LTC JOSE WILFRIDO M SUAREZ PAF(Res) MNSA
Chairman, Ways and Means Committee
Mr. J.W. Suarez is the President and Managing Director of WS Global Advisory Group. Mr Suarez is currently a Board Member of Northern Manor Corporation, Northern Suits Corporation and Eastern Creative Corporation, operators of leading mountain resort facilities in Baguio City. Likewise he is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association (NDCPAAI) 2009-2019, and several other organizations. Mr. Suarez has served as Risk Management Consultant for several large institutions such as Nestle Philippines Inc. and Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3). He was also the Senior Vice-President of Metro Rail Transit Development Corporation (MRTDC). Mr. Suarez was also formerly Vice-President in Megaworld Corporation. He was a Group Vice-President in Fil-Estate Group of Companies. He was also consulted by Century Properties Group for training. Mr. Suarez conducts lectures/training on Corporate Safety and Security awareness and preparedness, Business Continuity Planning, Disaster/Calamity Preparedness, and conducts Security Audit. Mr. Suarez is a reserved Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Air Force. He took up his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at University of the Philippines. He completed his Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). Mr. Suarez has taken up units in Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology. Appointed Executive Assistant to the President.
JUDGE MA. JOSEFINA G SAN JUAN-TORRES
Trustee
Judge Josefina G. San Juan-Torres graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law with the degree of Juris Doctor. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1994. Thereafter, she worked at the Senate Electoral Tribunal; then, at the Court of Appeals as Division Clerk of Court, and at the Supreme Court as Court Attorney. Presently, she is the Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court in the Province of Rizal.
Her notable credential is solidly grounded on her cross-cultural and legal experience and advanced training and research studies on international human rights law, with specialized interest and training on human rights, refugees and statelessness, as well as women and children.
Judge Torres was graduated at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP with a degree of Master in National Security Administration (MNSA). She was a recipient of a Gold Medal for Best Thesis, entitled “The ImPOSSIBLE Dream: Bridging the Gap in the Access to Justice Mechanism Towards the Realization of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Framework of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)” and a Silver Medal for Academic Excellence. She was also granted a Leadership Award for her distinct qualities as President of MNSA Regular Class 55.
CDR NONNETTE L VILLANUEVA PN(Res) MNSA
Trustee
Nonnette L Villanueva, MNSA is from Baguio City. A graduate of a Masters Degree in Management major in Industrial Relations and later on a member of Regular Class 41 of the National Defense College of the Philippines. At present she is a private consultant and manages Balay Ni Bian in Baguio City and simultaneously engages in some academic graduate school activities.
Prior to this, she worked as an Administrative Manager of Citillion Properties, a property development company and Vice President for Administration of a consultancy firm. Aside working in the private corporations, she was the Chief of the POEA Regional Center for Luzon.