Gregorio "Gringo" Ballesteros Honasan II
Gregorio "Gringo" Ballesteros Honasan II was born on March 14, 1948, in Baguio City to Colonel Romeo Honasan and Alice Ballesteros of Sorsogon Province. A retired military officer with the rank of Colonel in the Philippine Army, Honasan is known for his role in the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), which played a crucial part in the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. After the revolution, Honasan led several military coup attempts against President Corazon Aquino's government, for which he was imprisoned. He was later granted amnesty by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1992, allowing him to transition to politics. Honasan has served as Senator for a total of 21 years (1995-2004 and 2007-2019), where he held leadership positions including Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of Senate Committees on National Defense and Security and Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation. After his Senate tenure, he served as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) during President Rodrigo Duterte's administration from 2019 to 2021. In June 2024, Honasan and colleagues from RAM and the Magdalo group established the Reform PH Party, with Honasan as chairman. He is running for a Senate comeback in the 2025 elections under this newly formed party.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Philippine Military Academy (1971)
- Master's Degree in Business Management, Asian Institute of Management
Career Highlights
- Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (2019-2021)
- Senator of the Philippines (1995-2004, 2007-2019)
- Assistant Majority Leader, Philippine Senate
- Chairman, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security
- Chairman, Senate Committee on Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation
- Member, Commission on Appointments
- Colonel, Philippine Army
- Leader, Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM)
- Chairman, Reform PH Party (Current)
Key Platforms
Land Use Policy Reform
Advocates for comprehensive land use legislation to ensure sustainable development and proper urban planning. This has been one of his long-standing legislative priorities during his previous Senate terms.
National Security Enhancement
Proposes strengthening the country's defense capabilities, including the formation of paramilitary groups in strategic locations such as areas near the West Philippine Sea to protect Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Freedom of Information
Supports the passage of Freedom of Information legislation to promote transparency and accountability in government, a measure he previously championed during his Senate tenure.
Food Security Initiatives
Emphasizes strengthening agricultural production and supply chains to ensure food security for all Filipinos, particularly amid global economic challenges and climate change impacts.
Civilian Preparedness
Advocates for civilian mobilization and preparedness for both security concerns and natural disasters, drawing from his military background and experiences with typhoons like Ondoy and Yolanda.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Position |
|---|---|
| Economy | Supports economic recovery and development with emphasis on self-sufficiency and resilience against global shocks. |
| Education | Advocates for educational reform that emphasizes patriotism, discipline, and values formation. |
| Healthcare | Specific healthcare positions not readily available in public sources. |
| Environment | Supports disaster preparedness and response measures based on lessons from past natural calamities like typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda. |
| Labor | Specific labor policies not readily available in public sources. |
| Agriculture | Prioritizes food security through strengthened agricultural production and supply chain improvements. |
| Governance | Champions freedom of information and government transparency to combat corruption and improve public service. |
| Foreign Policy | Advocates for protecting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea through civilian paramilitaries while maintaining that this is not a call for war but preparation for contingencies. |
| Charter Change | Specific positions on constitutional amendments not readily available in public sources. |
| Lgbtq Rights | Specific positions on LGBTQIA+ rights not readily available in public sources. |
| Drug War | Likely supportive of strong anti-drug measures given his alignment with former President Duterte's administration where he served as DICT Secretary. |
| Icc | Has expressed support for former President Duterte following his arrest related to ICC proceedings, implying opposition to ICC jurisdiction over Philippine affairs. |
Sources & Citations
- Rappler - 'Gringo Honasan eyes third Senate comeback due to unfinished business', October 7, 2024
- GMA News Online - 'Gringo Honasan files COC for Senate comeback bid in Eleksyon 2025'
- Senate of the Philippines - 'Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II' official biography
- Vote Pilipinas - 'Honasan, Gringo' candidate profile
- Manila Bulletin - 'Honasan's party eyes paramilitary groups near West Philippine Sea, but says its not a call for war', June 23, 2024
- GMA News Online - 'Honasan, ex-RAM, Magdalo soldiers form Reform PH party'
- Wikipedia - 'Gregorio Honasan'
- Wikipedia - 'Reform PH Party'
- Rappler - '10 things to know about Gringo Honasan'
- VERA Files - 'Gringo Honasan's Senate comeback platforms'
This profile is regularly updated with verified information from reliable sources. Last updated: April 24, 2025