U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity of Southern California

Three Betans Appointed to Aquino Cabinet

by Rolly Reyes and Willie Vergara

Mon Paje

Brod Mon Paje (Forestry), former President of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association (Mother Chapter) was freshly appointed Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

A product of Harvard University and a top graduate of the Development Academy of the Philippines (Career Executive Service Officers Program), Brod Mon has previously held several high posts in government, including as Senior Deputy Secretary of DENR.

Brod Mon has been very active in promoting 2010: The Year of UP Beta Sigma Fraternity along with NBN Chairman and Deputy Secretary Rolly Reyes, Founder Rico Arranz, Dean Ted Topacio, journalist Joel Paredes (whom we hope will also be getting a post under the Aquino administration), Ollie Jumao-as, Raffy Hidalgo, Congressman Defensor and many, many other brods.

Procy Alcala

Proceso J. Alcala, who is known more as a development manager than a politician, is a first-term congressman. His supporters say Alcala leads by example and practices what he preaches. A conscientious businessman before joining politics, he is widely known in Quezon Province as an accomplished environmentalist and non-governmental organization (NGO) worker.

A civil engineer by profession, Alcala is fondly called “Procy” by friends and relatives as well as his constituents. Undoubtedly, the implementation of his successful programs and projects, including his “Proceso sa Pagasenso,” highlighted his socio-economic agenda that calls for collective participation of all sectors, not only in his district but in the entire Quezon Province. On the legislative front, Alcala has also authored several bills that encompass sectoral and local concerns, including those that dwell on the preservation and protection of the mystic Mount Banahaw, additional benefits to the elderly, promotion of the coconut industry, among others. Alcala, a native of Lucena City, is married to Corazon“Sonette” Maano and has two daughters and a son.

The incoming DA chief is a two-term congressman of the Second District of Quezon. Alcala is best known as one of the principal authors of Republic Act 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. He is also regarded as an accomplished environmentalist and a nongovernment organization (NGO) worker. While he promotes organic agriculture, Alcala said traditional farming and organic farming will have “equal exposure.” NGOs, particularly those advocating organic farming, hailed the appointment of Alcala.

Voltaire Gazmin

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1968, Volt Gazmin served as commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) from 1986 to 1989, a tumultuous period when mutinous soldiers tried to topple the administration of Cory Aquino in several coup attempts.

“General Gazmin played a key role [in] the defense of Malacañang against the rebel soldiers at that time,” said Montaño, former head of the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary, the forerunner of the Philippine National Police.

Gazmin, ironically, was also the martial law jailer of Noynoy’s father and namesake, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., during the latter’s incarceration at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

Ninoy Aquino had also stood as Gazmin’s godfather during the latter’s wedding.