Leoncio Evasco Jr.

Leoncio "Jun" Badilla Evasco Jr. (born March 29, 1944)[5] is a Filipino politician who served as Secretary of the Cabinet from 2016 to 2018 and is currently the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes under the Duterte administration since 2020.[6] Before he was appointed as the Cabinet secretary, he was the Mayor of Maribojoc town in Bohol from 2007 to 2016.[7] 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.[7][8]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Badilla and the surname or paternal family name is Evasco.

Leoncio Evasco Jr.
Evasco in 2016, addressing employees of the Malacañang Palace
Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes
In office
November 24, 2020 – June 30, 2022
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byPosition created
Cabinet Secretary of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 2016 – October 16, 2018
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byJose Rene Almendras
Succeeded byKarlo Nograles
6th Chairman of the
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
In office
December 5, 2016 – July 12, 2017
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byLeni Robredo
Succeeded byEduardo del Rosario
Mayor of Maribojoc
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2016
Preceded byGabino Redulla
Succeeded byMer Arocha
Personal details
Born
Leoncio Badilla Evasco Jr.

(1944-03-29) March 29, 1944
Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines
Political partyPeople's Reform Party (2021–present)[1]
Other political
affiliations		Communist Party of the Philippines (c. 1974 – c. 1980s)
NPC (c. 2010 – c. 2019)[2]
Kilusang Pagbabago (2016–?)[3][4]
Alma materMajor Seminary of San Carlos
Ateneo de Davao University
OccupationBusinessman

Early life and education

Evasco was born in Maribojoc in Bohol province on March 29, 1944.[5] 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.[10]

Career

Evasco was ordained a priest in 1970.[8] 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.[8][7] 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.[7] 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.[7][5]

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]

References
  1. Villamor-Ilano, Marites (October 4, 2021). "Is it People's Reform Party for Sara?". SunStar Manila. SunStar Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  2. Panti, Llanesca T. (March 21, 2019). "Evasco: Duterte will back me in May polls sans PDP membership". GMA News. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  3. Fonbuena, Carmela (December 5, 2016). "New 'party' Kilusang Pagbabago formed to protect Duterte". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  4. "Evasco leads 'Kilusang Pagbabago' launch". SunStar Philippines. August 13, 2016. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  5. "Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr". Maribojoc Municipal Government. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  6. Parrocha, Azer (December 2, 2020). "Evasco named PRRD's adviser on streamlining of gov't processes". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  7. "Bohol mayor Evasco former rebel priest, trusted Duterte aide". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 25, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  8. "Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's men". The Straits Times. May 16, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  9. "Bohol: The rebel mayor who said no". Rappler. October 25, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  10. "From the mountains to the Palace". The Bohol Chronicle. June 19, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  11. "Bohol mayor to Red Cross: We don't need you". The Philippine Star. October 25, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
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