Astra Pimentel started her career in public office as a political affairs officer for Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. She was then appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as liaison in the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and as undersecretary for the Commission of Filipinos Overseas and the Department of Energy.
Pimentel is seeking the Senate for the first time under the wing of PDP-Laban backed by Duterte, the same faction that expelled her former boss, Senator Pimentel, who is the son of the party's founder Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. She previously sat as chairperson of PDP-Laban's membership committee before she was ousted by the faction led by Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and backed by the younger Pimentel.
In line with her party, Pimentel backs shifting to a federal system of government, for reasons that include allowing presidents and vice presidents to seek a second term. She asserted at a senatorial debate that President Duterte in particular, who she said has performed very well as the country's top official, should be given another chance to lead.
Pimentel at the same debate held in March said she believes the Senate should also prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers and the tourism industry.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
Favors revising the 1987 Constitution which she derides as an "emotional" and "rushed" constitution.
She proposes a parliamentary federal system of government which would entail the following:
- Presidents and vice presidents from the same ticket will be elected together and will be allowed to seek a second term
- Regional representation in the Senate
- 70-30 sharing of national wealth
- Anti-turncoatism
- Strengthening local government units
- Equalization fund wherein the poor regions will be developed and helped by the federal government
Ensure the following for OFWs:
- Pension plan
- Easy access housing
- Discount benefits
- More programs for the education of their children
As Commission on Filipinos undersecretary in 2019, worked on the Women Empowerment to address Trafficking of Women Overseas or the #WeToo information campaign in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration
Claims educating indigenous people will prevent them from taking up arms against the government
Create a roadmap for the tourism industry to ensure more jobs for FIlipinos
As DOE undersecretary, Pimentel assisted the DOE in its coordination with Congress and manage efforts for electrification in rural areas
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
Pimentel was the political affairs officer of former Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel.
Her most recent post was undersecretary for the Department of Energy which she was appointed to in July 2021. A concerned advocate filed a complaint against Pimentel and two others for committing prohibited partisan political activity for officers and employees of civil service.
Another complainant accused Pimentel of using her position as a Malacañang insider to extort P110,000 from him, with Pimentel promising she could find a way for President Duterte to consider his appointment to general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
Undersecretary at the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, April 2018
Strong advocate on and for the Supreme Court ruling
Undersecretary at the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, August 2018
Ongoing
Private Sector
Pimentel was the chair of PDP-Laban, when on July 9, 2021, the faction led by Senator Manny Pacquiao expelled energy secretary-and PDP Laban president Alfonso Cusi, PDP-Laban deputy secretary general Melvin Matibag and Pimentel for supposedly violating party rules “by showing allegiance to a political party apart from PDP-Laban.” Cusi was allegedly manipulating PDP-Laban to support the Duterte-Duterte tandem, deemed an admission of supporting Sara Duterte for president, who is not a member of the party.
On July 17, 2021, Cusi led a national assembly of party members where Pacquiao was ousted as party president and new officers were elected, including Cusi as president, Pimentel as chair of the membership committee and Matibag as secretary general. PDP-Laban wrote a letter, signed by PDP-Laban chair Duterte and Cusi, formally submitting its Sworn Information Update Statement to the Comelec.
Such election of new officials was not acknowledged by the faction of Pacquiao and Sen. Koko Pimentel, son of PDP-Laban founder, former Senator Nene Pimentel.
Author of:
“Intellectual Property in the Philippines” w/ Atty. Susan Villanueva “Super Lolo: The Odyssey of Lorenzo M. Tanada”, UP Press Publications (1998)
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violation of Sec. 55, Ch. 8, Sub. A, Title I, Book V of E.O. 292 Pimentel and two others were charged with violating the prohibition on partisan political activity for officers and employees of civil service, by instigating and attending PDP-Laban’s May 2021 national council meeting in Cebu City calling for President Duterte to run for vice president in 2022. Pimentel reportedly lauded the new members joining of PDP-Laban, as a reason for action |
Date of violating act -May 31, 2021 Victor V. Morillo, Quezon City resident, advocating for public accountability, filed the complaint on June 8, 2021 |
Morillo asked Office of Ombudsman to place Pimentel (and co-violators) under preventive suspension. If found guilty: order of dismissal from current government service—and cancellation and forfeiture of all eligibility and benefits | Under investigation |
| Anti-graft case Charged for allegedly leveraging her position as a Malacañang insider to extort P110,000 from a civil engineer, with Pimentel promising she could find a way for President Duterte to consider his appointment to LLDA general manager |
Date of violation - July 2016 Teodulo C. del Rosario, a civil engineer and Taytay resident,filed the complaint with the Office of Ombudsman on September 2019 |
Imprisonment of 1-10 years, perpetual disqualification from public office, confiscation of any wealth or interest that is unexplained beyond their government income or other lawful sources | Complaint submitted |
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.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
Commission of Filipinos Overseas Executive Director and undersecretary, March 2019
In an agreement with the Dangerous Drugs Board, CFO was tasked with developing modules and information dissemination related to illegal drugs, use and violations
CFO Executive Director Undersecretary, August 2018
Part of the Duterte administration’s all-out campaign against illegal drugs
As PDP-Laban member, particularly during a Jan. 24, 2018 forum held by the Ateneo de Davao University community which Pimentel attended when she was assistant secretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
• BS in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Services, Xavier University
• Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Trinity University of Asia
• Special Course of Accounting for Non-Accountants, University of the Philippines
• Undersecretary, Department of Energy, July 2021
• Executive Director and Undersecretary, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, February 2018-July 2021
• National Chairperson of the Committee on Membership, PDP Laban (expelled in July 2021, but re-elected by the Cusi faction in August 2021)
• Assistant Secretary, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Date Unknown-February 2018
• Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, 2016-Date Unknown
• Political Affairs Officer, Office of Senator Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III, Senate of the Philippines
