SENATORIAL CANDIDATE
9. BELGICA, GRECO
PEDERALISMO ng DUGONG DAKILANG SAMAHAN

Greco Belgica, 43, is an entrepreneur, pastor and politician who most recently served as chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, an attached bureau under the Office of the President tasked with assisting President Rodrigo Duterte in investigating and hearing administrative cases against presidential appointees involving graft and corruption.

Belgica was elected as councilor of the 6th District of the City of Manila from 2004 to 2007, a post his father Grepor Belgica also held.

He ran for senator in the 2013 elections with the Democratic Party of the Philippines but failed to win a seat with just 2.81% of the vote. Later that year, Belgica was among those who successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to scrap the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel fund. He ran again for a Senate seat in 2016, this time independently but with the endorsement of Duterte. He failed to win a seat again with just 4.62% of the total votes.

As PACC chairman from March 2021 until his resignation in October 2021, Belgica supported Duterte’s anti-corruption efforts and investigations in the executive branch of government. However, his mandate did not involve investigating the Office of the President itself and was only limited to high-ranking government officials, which he said he would push to expand if he were elected senator. Belgica has historically backed Duterte in all his policy positions.

In 2018, Belgica sought accreditation for his new political party, the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, which seeks to support the Duterte administration’s push for federalism and constitutional reform in the Philippines.

Belgica is running for the Senate on a platform of pushing for stricter anti-corruption measures in the legislative branch. In his earlier run for the Senate in 2013, Belgica, a Christian pastor, vowed to push for the return of the death penalty for heinous crimes, which he said should include corruption from government officials. He said such a measure would ultimately discourage corruption among the government’s ranks down to the barangay level.

His father has been a presidential adviser on religious affairs since 2019, after his appointments to other government commissions while his brother, Jeremiah Belgica, is the Anti-Red Tape Authority secretary.

Platform and Policy
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The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any

Select a policy profile below to view more details
 
Anti-corruption
 
Law and order
 
Government taxation
 
COVID-19 response
Related Policy Proposal:
  1. Unspecified amendments to bank secrecy and anti-wire tapping law
  2. Formation of local and barangay anti-corruption councils to “intensify” anti-corruption efforts
  3. Passage of a law expanding the role and jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Coordinating Councils in government agencies to include local and barangay government bodies
Previous Platform:
During his 2016 senatorial campaign, vowed to push for abolition of Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel and convert this to a tuition voucher fund to help students
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
  1. As PACC chief, spearheaded a Task Force on Lifestyle Check to probe unexplained wealth of officials in the executive branch and acted on some 9,000 complaints of corruption in government
  2. Silent on anomalies and allegations of corruption surrounding the government's deals with its favored pandemic supplier Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp.
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Related Policy Proposal:
  1. Creation of Anti Corruption and Anti-Red Tape Police force
  2. Continuation of the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” and campaign against criminality
  3. Supports reimposition of death penalty for heinous crimes, including drug-related cases and corruption, to strengthen administration’s “war” against corruption and crime
Previous Platform:
In his 2019 Senate campaign, claimed that there is a need to sustain the gains of the Duterte administration, particularly against graft and corruption and illegal drugs, and deter criminals
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
In August 2020, he stressed the need to impose death penalty on corrupt officials, beliving that corruption is as “heinous crime” that is just as bas as murder becasue thousands of people suffer because of corrupt officials
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Related Policy Proposal:
Vowed to amend the Local Government Code and push for the removal of the annual real property tax to ease public burden
Previous Platform:
Also reiterated his 2013 Senate campaign push for flat 10% uniform income tax rate on individuals and large and small businesses to raise government revenues and usher in economic recovery
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Related Policy Proposal:
Promised to put up COVID-19 clinics in every provincial hospital and barangay that will provide patients with free medicines and train doctors with procedures and protocols used in other countries
Previous Platform:
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Major Accomplishments
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The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so


Public Sector

Belgica was the youth adviser of the Manila Mayor’s Office on Youth Affairs from 2000-2004 and was elected as a councilor in the 6th District of the City of Manila in 2004. From 2011 to 2012, he was a board member of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Manila.


In 2017, Duterte issued Executive Order No. 43 creating the PACC to directly assist the president in investigating administrative cases primarily involving graft or corruption against all presidential appointees. It is also mandated to recommend the filing of a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman and Department of Justice “when appropriate.” The PACC was formed following the ombudsman's fact-finding investigation while a DOJ Task Force Against Corruption was formed after corruption allegations at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.


Belgica was appointed PACC commissioner in January 2018. In his weekly public address in late December 2020, Duterte read off the names of current and former officials determined by the PACC as receiving kickbacks from public work projects, although the chief executive admitted that the report was not based on “hard evidence.” Included on the list was Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, who claimed that the accusation was politically motivated, saying Belgica was a party-mate of her political rival planning to run in the 2022 elections. Other officials named in the report denied the allegations and urged the president and PACC to release the names of the complainants.


After the death of then-Chairman Dante Jimenez, Belgica was appointed chairman of the PACC in March 2021. He spearheaded a Task Force on Lifestyle Check to probe unexplained wealth of officials in the executive branch but transmitted reports only to the Office of the President for Duterte’s consideration. Throughout Belgica’s term, the PACC received and acted on at least 9,000 complaints of corruption in government.


Towards the end of his term, Belgica oversaw the creation of the 49-member National Anti-Corruption Coordinating Council which aims to coordinate anti-corruption efforts by installing bodies down to the barangays to facilitate those efforts on the local level as well as serving “preventive and educative functions” in all its levels. The launch of the NACC’s umbrella campaign dubbed “Project Kasangga: Aksyon Laban sa Korapsyon'' came hours after Duterte stated that he wanted the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to stop its probe into the health department’s pandemic spending.


The NACC’s creation came after the Duterte administration already formed a “mega task force” against corruption in October 2020 that was tasked to probe “the entire government” for possible corruption. It was composed of the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Prosecution Service, the Office of the Special Assistant of the President, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.


Greco’s brother, Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Jeremiah Belgica, was appointed as a member of the NACC.


In response to criticism of the new anti-graft body, Belgica admitted that there are overlaps in the new council’s functions with those of the Commission on Audit and the DOJ’s Task Force Against Corruption, but he noted that the PACC’s mandate is limited to presidential appointees to top government positions and insisted that there should be anti-corruption committees in all government offices.


After several positioning changes across at least two parties, Duterte and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, a longtime aide to the president, filed their certificates of candidacy for senator and president, respectively, under the relatively unknown PDDS, but later withdrew. PDDS now has two senatorial candidates for 2022 in Belgica and Lady Anne Sahidulla, though it maintains its alliance with the administration PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonsi Cusi.


Anti-corruption council
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Created the National Anti-Corruption Coordinating Council, composed of 49 agencies from the executive branch, which will have a presence in every level of government
Position/Date
Chairman of the PACC, September 2021
Status
Council efforts still ongoing; unclear if to be continued under next administration

Private Sector

Belgica made his first unsuccessful run for Senator in the 2013 elections. That same year, Belgica was among those who questioned the constitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel fund.

He ran for Senator as an independent candidate in 2016, but again failed to win a seat.

Executive officer in several firms
Read More
Position/Date
Various leadership functions, 1998-present
Status
Ongoing
Actions and/or Proceedings
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Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information

Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings

Subject Matter Relevant Dates Accrued Liability Status

Grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, violation of R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and violation of R.A. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act)

Filed by Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol over Belgica’s lack of action on the alleged involvement of Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay and Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay reported to the PACC in 2019

Report to PACC in 2019

Belgica dismissed the complaint in August 2020, since PACC had no jurisdiction on elected officials

Complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Jan. 6, 2021

Grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to service, gross inexcusable negligence and violations of R.A. 3019

Filed by nine Duty Free Philippines Corp. employees against Belgica over his conduct of the prove into irregularities within DFPC; they alleged that Belgica watered down his report and recommendation on alleged smuggling activities between DFPC officials and entrepreneurs

Report to PACC in 2017

Filed graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in October 2020

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth
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Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.

Assets
Liabilities
Net Worth

Campaign Details
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Key details about the candidate's campaign

Campaign Manager:

Alliances and Endorsements:
Party History:
Liberal Party
2004-2007
Democratic Party of the Philippines-Reporma Pilipinas
2012-2013
Independent
2015-2016
Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan
2018-present
Major Donors
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Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Major Advocacies
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The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so

 
Federalism
 
Anti-corruption
 
Anti-illegal drugs
 
Faith-based, nation transformation
 
Uniform tax rate
Federalism
  1. Has called for a limited and decentralized form of government
  2. Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, a political party which seeks to support the Duterte administration’s push for federalism and Constitutional reform in the Philippines
Position/Date
  1. As senatorial candidate in 2013, 2016 and 2021-present
  2. Founder, in 2018; accredited by the COMELEC as a national political party in October 2019
Status
Ongoing
Anti-corruption
  1. Challenged the constitutionality of the pork barrel fund allocation, successful
  2. Truth and Justice Coalition, a non-stock, non-profit NGO that envisions a progressive government without corruption
Position/Date
  1. Petitioner, 2013
  2. Founder
Status
SC ruling in 2013
Anti-illegal drugs
Has historically backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy decisions including has stance for the death penalty for heinous crimes, including peddling drugs and corruption
Position/Date
As PACC chief and as senatorial candidate, 2013 and 2021-present
Status
Ongoing
Faith-based, nation transformation
  1. Yeshua Church Agents, NGO involved in anti-drug campaigns and advocating reconstruction of society to its biblical calling
  2. Promotes autonomy from government, recognizing the churches’ authority to teach and receive, free from regulations, intrusions and restrictions
Position/Date
  1. President, 2008-present
  2. As senatorial candidate in 2013
Status
Uniform tax rate
Flat, 10% uniform income tax rate on individuals and large and small businesses to raise government revenues and usher in economic recovery
Position/Date
As senatorial candidate in 2013
Status
Personal Details
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Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience

Name to appear on the ballot: BELGICA, GRECO
Full Name: Greco Antonius Beda Belgica
Birthdate: Mar. 27, 1978 (44 years as of election day)
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Residence: Manila, Philippines
Religion: Born Again Christian
Languages Spoken: Filipino, English
Parents:
  1. Grepor “Butch” Belgica, father, pastor, businessman and Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs (2019-present), Undersecretary of Dangerous Drugs Board (2010-2013), Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (2007-2010), Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Manila City Council (1995-1998), Councilor of the 6th District of Manila (1994-1996)
  2. Carmelita Banta Belgica, mother
Siblings: Jeremiah B. Belgica, Secretary/Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, July 2019-present
Nazareno Belgica
Jonathan Belgica
Marital Status: Married, Nina Rizzi Velasco-Belgica (2010-present)
Children:
  1. Sophia Nicole Belgica
  2. Don Greco Butch Belgica
Education:

•Masters in National Security Administration at National Defense College of the Philippines, 2021

•Graduate Studies, International Trade and Commerce, University of California Berkeley

•Bachelor of Science and Administration in Marketing and Management, San Beda College Manila

Honorary Degrees:

  • •Doctorate Degree on Public Administration (Honoris Causa), Philippine Christian University

Work Experience:
  • Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission:
    • Chairman, Mar. 15, 2021-Oct. 8, 2021
    • Commissioner, Jan. 12, 2018-Mar. 14, 2021
  • President, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, 2018-present
  • President, Yeshua Livestock and Agricultural Products, 2012-present
  • President, Yeshua Change Agents, 2008-present
  • Founder and president, Yeshua Foundational Learning Center, 2010-present
  • Pastor, The Lord’s Vineyard Covenant Community, 2009-present
  • Founder and president, Save a Child Program, 2010-present
  • Founder and president, Save a Child Program
  • Founder, ReformPH Movement
  • Board Member, Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Manila, 2011-2012
  • Councilor, 6th District of Manila City, 2004-2007
  • Youth Adviser, Office of the Mayor-Youth Affairs, City of Manila, 2000-2004
  • Officer at the following companies:
    • President, The Living Miracle Foundation, 2009-present
    • Marketing Manager, New Oasis Advertising, LLC Dubai, UAE, 2009-2010
    • Chief executive officer, GBB Legacy, Inc., 2008-present
    • Chief executive officer. Great Builders-Trading Co., 2008-present
    • Chief executive officer, Belgic Broadcasting Corp., 2008
    • Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Asian Precious Metals, Inc., 2001-2003
    • Chief executive officer, Trailers on the Run, 2000-2005
    • General Manager, Bistro Carmelita by the Palace, 1998-2000
  • Glossary
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    TERM
    DEFINITION
    NGO Non-government organization
    COMELEC Commission on Elections
    Honoris causa means “for the sake of honor”, an honorary degree awarded to an eminent individual in recognition of meritorious contribution or personal humanitarian accomplishment/s and contribution to the institution and society