House Leadership

Upon graduation from the Philippine Military Academy, Representative Cabochan joined the Philippine Navy. He served from 1995 to 2003 as Administrative, Training, and Intelligence Officer in different units of the Philippine Navy, contributing to the enhancement of the Philippine Fleet, Navy Communications and Information Systems Center and Naval Special Warfare.

In 2003 and 2007, Representative Cabochan joined the Magdalo which staged the Oakwood and Manila Peninsula protests against the corruption during the Arroyo administration. This resulted to his incarceration for seven long years.

After his detention, Representative Cabochan pursued further studies and completed his master’s degree in Government Management from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 2011. He then served in different key positions in the Office of Senator Trillanes from 2010 to 2018. At the same time, he served as the President of the Magdalo Movement. During his stint, he actively promoted volunteerism among Magdalo members especially in times of crises and calamities. Meanwhile, as Magdalo Vice Chairman, he spearheaded community outreach programs, relief and rescue operations and blood donation drives.

Gary C. Alejano Sr. was born on 22 January 1973 in

Sipalay City, Negros Occidental. He is married to

Minerva Cojuangco Alejano of Bamban, Tarlac.

Their marriage was blessed with three daughters and two sons: twins Martine Gwyneth and Micah Gabrielle, Maxine Gail, Gary Alejano Jr., and Gian Marcus.

Gary C. Alejano Sr. or “Gary” as he is fondly called by his friends is a current member of the 17th Congress of the Philippines, representing the sectors of former and retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the urban poor, and the youth.

Education

He took up Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1989 at Cebu Central Colleges (now University of Cebu) in Cebu City. However, he only completed two years as it was cut short with his admission in the Philippine Military Academy in 1991 where he finished Bachelor of Science in Naval System Engineering. He is a member of “Marilag” Class of 1995.

He holds a Masters of Management degree from the UP Open University and a New Enterprise Planning certificate, also from the same university. In August of 2016, he attended the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School where he finished Senior Executives in National and International Security Program along with 75 others from 23 countries.

Military Career

As a former captain in the Philippine Marine Corps, he held various positions of increasing responsibility in Combat and Intelligence Operations, Training, Field Supervision, Administration, and Logistics. His special military skills set include expertise in martial arts, sniping, scuba diving, close-quarter battle, and paratrooping (HALO/HIHO), among others. He was a member of the elite Marine Force Reconnaissance Battalion and was a Marine Scout sniper.

He was involved in various combat and rescue operations especially against the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other lawless elements in Western Mindanao.He was also in the forefront during the Camp Abubakar Campaign in 2000 where he was “wounded in action” when his Recon Company infiltrated and captured some of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) defenses west of Narciso Ramos Highway in Matanog, Maguindanao. As a result of his military exploits, he was awarded various medals, the highest of which was the Distinguished Conduct Star in lieu of the Medal For Valor for conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty. His recommendation for a Medal For Valor award is currently under appeal.

As a Philippine Marine, he was assigned and saw action in different parts of the country. Inadvertently however, his exposure enabled him to see the true sad and sorry state of the country. He saw injustice, hunger and destitution in the countryside where basic government services is lacking or non-existent at all.

Oakwood Incident

As a result of the said exposure, Gary became radicalized. Together with about 300 young soldiers, he became involved in the Oakwood incident in 2003 and later, in the Manila Peninsula siege. His involvement in these protests led to his incarceration for almost four years. Inside detention, they formed the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Movement (MPPM) and organized the Samahang Magdalo, Inc. (SMI) under it. In 2010, he was granted amnesty together with other members of Magdalo by the newly installed Aquino administrator. Years in detention have not dampened his spirit.

Upon release from detention and together with other Magdalo officers, they strengthened and expanded the Magdalo movement. As a founding President of the Samahang Magdalo, Inc., a non-government organization, he worked for its rapid expansion by organizing chapters all over the country and even abroad, which expanded the membership to almost 90,000members. When they were released in detention in 2010, SMI has around 200,000 members as of October of 2016.

Philippine House of Representatives

In the 2013 elections, the Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List (MPPPL) garnered more than 567,000 votes in the National Elections, which was enough to secure the Party-List two (2) seats in the 16th Congress. Gary Alejano, being the number one nominee of the Partylist, was proclaimed by COMELEC as one of its representatives. In addition, Sonny Trillanes, another Magdalo leader was also elected on his second term asa Senator of the Republic (Sonny Trillanes was first elected in the 2007 national election inside detention).

Magdalo Partylist aims to represent the sectors of former and retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the urban poor, and the Youth since these sectors comprise mostly the membership of the Samahang Magdalo.

In the 16th Congress, a total of 111 infrastructure projects were undertaken, including the construction of local roads, provision of water service, construction/rehabilitation of multi-purpose halls, construction of school building, completion of covered court, and flood control.

In the current 17th Congress, 39 various infrastructure projects have already been undertaken. This number will still grow as more resources become available. Alejano has filed 149 Bills and 59 Resolutions, 6 of which have already been enacted into law. Alejano maintains perfect attendance (except when he is on official mission abroad) in all sessions of the House of Representatives from 2013 to present.

Rep. Alejano looks forward to the enactment of more laws that will benefit the Filipino people and the nation as a whole. During the 16th Congress, the Magdalo Partylist was adjudged the Most Productive Partylist of the 16th Congress by ABS-CBN. He is poised to surpass his accomplishment in the 16th Congress as he has already filed 100 House bills and 31 House resolutions that he has authored. His perfect attendance in all House deliberations (except when he is out of the country on official business) is a manifestation of Rep. Alejano’s passion, commitment and dedication to his sworn duty to serve the people and the country.

Awards and Recognition

Captain Alejano is a bemedalled soldier. Among the notable awards he received were the Distinguished Conduct Star in lieu of the Medal for Valor (which is under appeal), a Gold Cross Medal, two Bronze Cross Medal, four Military Merit Medal, six Military Commendation Medal, a Wounded Personnel Medal, and two Award of Luzon Campaign Medal, among many others. In addition, he also received 11commendations,8 certificate of merit, 10 certificate of appreciation, 13 plaques of recognition, 14 plaques of appreciation, and 8 skill / proficiency badges,.

In civilian life, he was an Outstanding PMA Alumnus Awardee. He was also awarded as one of the “TOP Congressman of the Philippines” by the Publishers Association of the Philippines. Recently, he was awarded as the 2015 UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni in Public Service.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP