Greco Belgica
Greco Antonious Beda Banta Belgica (born March 27, 1978) is a Filipino politician who most recently served as chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) from March to October 2021.
Greco B. Belgica | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Belgica in 2019 | |
| Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission | |
| In office March 15, 2021 – October 8, 2021 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Dante Jimenez |
| Succeeded by | 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 | Baldr H. Bringas |
| Member of the Manila City Council from the 6th district | |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1978 Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | PDDS (2018–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (until c. 2007)[1] DPP (c. 2012 – c. 2013)[2] Independent (c. 2015 – c. 2016) |
| Spouse(s) | Nina Rizzi Velasco Belgica |
| Parent(s) | Grepor "Butch" Belgica (father) Carmelita Banta Belgica (mother) |
| Residence(s) | Manila |
| Alma mater | San Beda College University of California, Berkeley (postgraduate studies) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (LLB) National Defense College of the Philippines (E-MNSA) |
He graduated from San Beda University with a degree in Marketing and Commerce, and earned his postgraduate degree in International Trade and Commerce at the University 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 the National Defense College of the Philippines.
He was elected as Councilor of the City of Manila in 2004 at the age of 26 and was nicknamed "Batang Magaling".
In 2013, he questioned the constitutionality of the Pork barrel system in a controversial case that had three (3) prior Supreme Court rulings that said the PDAF were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Belgica, with a unanimous vote of 14–0, and said that the Pork barrel system is unconstitutional. This landmark case was later known as the Belgica Ruling.
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.
He is also the Founder and President of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), a national political party accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on October 30, 2018.
He ran with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who endorsed him in the 2016 Philippine Senate election.
On January 12, 2018, he was appointed Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) under the Office of the President of the Philippines.
Political career
He previously served as councilor of the sixth district of the City of Manila from 2004 to 2007.
Belgica ran as a candidate in the 2013 Philippine Senate election under the newly accredited Democratic Party of the Philippines, but failed to win a seat.[3][4]
One of Belgica's campaign promises was a flat tax system 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 a limited and decentralized form of government, a free market, and Christian 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.[5]
In the 2016 Senate election, he ran again for a senate seat as part of the party supporting Rodrigo Duterte for President. But again, he failed.
Belgica v. Ochoa
In 2013, nine petitions were filed before the Supreme Court of the Philippines regarding the constitutionality of the pork barrel system. 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 that Janet Lim-Napoles, believed to have masterminded the PDAF Scam, is not really the 'mastermind', just 'willing beneficiary'.[6]
Personal life
He is the son of Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs, Grepor "Butch" Belgica. His younger brother, Atty. Jeremiah B. Belgica, is Director-General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority.
An Elder at The Lord's Vineyard Covenant Community, a Taguig-based Full Gospel church where his father is a Senior Elder, he is president of Yeshua Change Agents, a non-government organization involved in anti-drug campaigns, and advocating societal reform along Biblical principles.
A health and wellness buff, his sporting interests include basketball, swimming, and taekwondo.
He is also the founder of ReformPH Movement, and a member of the United States-based Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Filmography
Television
- Bagong Pilipinas (People's Television Network) (2017)
- Ireklamo Kay Greco (DZRH News Television) (2016–2019)
- #GrecoLive (DZRJ-AM) (2016) with CJ Santos
References
- Ramos, Marlon (March 17, 2013). "Greco Belgica: Youngest bet vows change to flat tax". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- Bueza, Michael (June 29, 2013). "Family, followers donate to independent Senate bets". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- Santos, Reynaldo, Jr. (October 26, 2012). "Comelec approves 5 more senatorial bets". Rappler. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- "Portfolio and List of Services – Blitz Communication Philippines". Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- Pedroche, Al G. (November 17, 2012). "Greco Belgica – From councilor to senator". Philippine Star. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- Talabong, Rambo (March 27, 2013). "PACC: Napoles not pork barrel 'mastermind', just 'willing beneficiary'". Rappler. Retrieved July 18, 2018.