Chavez vows greater role for NDCPAAI

Led by Transportation Undersecretary Cesar B. Chavez, the newly elected officers of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc. took their oath before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on Monday.

Chavez, a consistent appointee to various government agencies by seven successive presidents, was elected president of the NDCPAAI for 2023-2025. He is currently Undersecretary for Railways under the Department of Transportation.

"Grateful to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for administering our oath in Malacañang this morning as the newly elected officers of the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc.," Chavez said.

"Our association will strive to be more meaningful and relevant for its members and the country. We will actively foster a platform that encourages greater collaboration between the NDCP, its alumni, and stakeholders, contributing to the national discourse and policy development on all aspects of national security," he added.

Chavez pursued a military and national security education, completing courses such as basic and advance intelligence, psychological warfare, and command and general staff management.

He earned a Master's degree in National Security Administration at NDCP, a Ph.D. in Peace and Security Administration from Bicol University, and a Senior Executive certificate on national and international security from Harvard Kennedy School.

He also finished the Strategic Management Program at the National University of Singapore.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus "Gary" Domingo was elected vice president. Domingo has served as ambassador to New Zealand and held positions in the Philippine Missions to the UN, in New York and Geneva, as well as the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

NDCP executive vice president Aldrin Cuña was elected secretary general of the association.

Captain Luidegar "Lloyd" Casis will head the committee on military affairs. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Casis is a member of the Philippine Military Academy's Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992. He is currently chief of the capabilities and weapons systems division of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, OJ5, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Aboitiz InfraCapital first vice president Christopher Camba will chair the Committee on Ways and Means. With over 20 years of corporate experience within the Aboitiz Group, he has had diverse roles spanning audit, finance, operations, marketing, risk management, and government relations.

Commission on Appointments director and NDCP professor Vladimir Mata was elected head of the Homecoming Committee. He is a lieutenant colonel and currently acting commander of the Marine Reserve Brigade in Northern Luzon.

Zamboanga del Sur First District Rep. Divina Grace Yu will serve as chairperson of the Committee on Chairmanship. She has been serving as Deputy House Speaker since 2020.

Morong, Rizal RTC Branch 79 Judge Maria Josefina San Juan-Torres was chosen to chair the Committee on Awards. She is vice president of the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (Asia Pacific Chapter).

Valenzuela City Administrator Atty. Jaime De Veyra will join Judge San Juan-Torres in the Awards Committee. He has held roles in the Public Estates Authority and the Philippine Mining Development Corporation as chief legal counsel and CEO.

CGA Capt. Jeremias "Jerry" Simon will chair the Committee on Membership.