Leoncio Evasco Jr. Explained

Leoncio Evasco Jr.
Office:Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes
Term Start:November 24, 2020
Term End:June 30, 2022
President:Rodrigo Duterte
Predecessor:Position created
Office1:Cabinet Secretary of the Philippines
Term Start1:June 30, 2016
Term End1:October 16, 2018
President1:Rodrigo Duterte
Predecessor1:Jose Rene Almendras
Successor1:Karlo Nograles
Term Start2:December 5, 2016
Term End2:July 12, 2017
President2:Rodrigo Duterte
Predecessor2:Leni Robredo
Successor2:Eduardo del Rosario
Office3:Mayor of Maribojoc
Term Start3:June 30, 2007
Term End3:June 30, 2016
Predecessor3:Gabino Redulla
Successor3:Mer Arocha
Birth Name:Leoncio Badilla Evasco Jr.
Birth Date:March 29, 1944
Birth Place:Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines
Nationality:Filipino
Occupation:Businessman
Party:People's Reform Party (2021–present)[1]
Otherparty:Communist Party of the Philippines
NPC [2]
Kilusang Pagbabago (2016–?)[3] [4]
Alma Mater:Major Seminary of San Carlos
Ateneo de Davao University

Leoncio "Jun" Badilla Evasco Jr. (born March 29, 1944) is a Filipino politician who served as Secretary of the Cabinet from 2016 to 2018 and was the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes under the Duterte administration from 2020 to 2022.[5] Before he was appointed as the Cabinet secretary, he was the Mayor of Maribojoc town in Bohol from 2007 to 2016.[6] He was an ordained priest, being ordained in 1970, when he joined the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, in 1974.[6] [7]

Early life and education

Evasco was born in Maribojoc in Bohol province on March 29, 1944.[8] He finished his AB degree in Philosophy and Theology in Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu City in 1966 and 1970, respectively.[9] He obtained a master's degree in Ateneo de Davao University.

Career

Evasco was ordained a priest in 1970.[7] He was assigned as priest in Dauis, Baclayon and Catigbian all in Bohol.[10] A raid by soldiers in his convent in Catigbian in 1974 pushed him to join the underground Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army. In 1983 he was caught while presiding over the wedding of a comrade in Midsayap, North Cotabato. He was tortured and four of his those arrested with him was summarily executed. Evasco was prosecuted by then prosecutor Rodrigo Duterte for rebellion. Following the EDSA People Power Revolution he was one of the political detainees ordered released from jail by then President Cory Aquino.[7] [6] After his release, Evasco worked as secretary general of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto. He served as campaign manager of Duterte when he run in 1988 mayoral elections.[6] He served as OIC of the city engineer's office from 1989 to 1990. Evasco headed the economic enterprise office before being appointed as chief of staff of Duterte.[6] [8]

Maribojoc Mayor

Evasco ran for mayor of Maribojoc in 2007 and won despite being away from the town for 3 decades. He won re-election in 2010 and 2013. Under his leadership Maribojoc received the Galing Pook award for 2011 for its Cadastral Survey and Simultaneous Systematic Adjudication Project. The town was also conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in 2010 and 2011.[9] In the wake of the 2013 Bohol earthquake he was involved in a controversy with Philippine Red Cross volunteers regarding the distribution of relief goods to the victims. The controversy led to the prevention of Red Cross volunteers from entering Maribojoc.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Villamor-Ilano . Marites . Is it People's Reform Party for Sara? . October 5, 2021 . SunStar Manila . SunStar Publishing Inc. . October 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211004143308/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1909237/Manila/Local-News/Is-it-Peoples-Reform-Party-for-Sara . October 4, 2021.
  2. News: Panti . Llanesca T. . Evasco: Duterte will back me in May polls sans PDP membership . October 5, 2021 . GMA News . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190322113234/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/688692/evasco-duterte-will-back-me-in-may-polls-sans-pdp-membership/story/ . March 22, 2019.
  3. News: Fonbuena . Carmela . New 'party' Kilusang Pagbabago formed to protect Duterte . October 5, 2021 . Rappler . December 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201203224540/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/kilusang-pagbabago-duterte-evasco . December 3, 2020.
  4. News: Evasco leads 'Kilusang Pagbabago' launch . October 5, 2021 . SunStar Philippines . August 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005025425/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/91769/Business/Evasco-leads-Kilusang-Pagbabago-launch . October 5, 2021.
  5. News: Parrocha. Azer. December 2, 2020. Evasco named PRRD's adviser on streamlining of gov't processes. Philippine News Agency. December 2, 2020.
  6. News: Bohol mayor Evasco former rebel priest, trusted Duterte aide. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 25, 2013. July 8, 2016.
  7. News: Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's men. The Straits Times. May 16, 2016. July 8, 2016.
  8. News: Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr.. Maribojoc Municipal Government. July 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160718081939/http://www.maribojoc.gov.ph/executive/mayor-leoncio-b-evasco-jr. July 18, 2016. dead.
  9. News: Bohol: The rebel mayor who said no . Rappler. October 25, 2013. July 8, 2016.
  10. Web site: From the mountains to the Palace . . June 19, 2016 . July 8, 2016.
  11. News: Bohol mayor to Red Cross: We don't need you. The Philippine Star. October 25, 2013. July 8, 2016.