RETIRED FROM DUTY, STILL IN LOVE WITH THE COUNTRY

Laughter, Brotherhood, and Unfinished Service at the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74) Reunion

*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM

On October 17, I joined a lunch reunion of several members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74 ). I expected good food, familiar faces, and stories from their years in uniform. I also found myself listening to a discussion on the state of the nation.

Walang projector. Walang briefing folder. At salamat naman, walang kailangang gumawa ng minutes.

But there was plenty worth remembering.

Among the retirees present were Col. Bernardo Ranot, Col. Honorio Tomas, Col. Rey Surop, Col. Romeo Teope, Col. Loreto Abad, Col. Jose Balane, Col. Rogelio Farinas, Col. Benhur Aguinaldo, Col. Mario Subagan, MGen. Danilo Gaoiran, Col. Virgilio Rendon, and Col. Mario Tangonan—all members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74 (PC/AFP POTC CLASS 74).

Also joining us was Col. Rey Dela Cruz, the present Deputy Director for Operations of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. He had been one of my brother’s trusted lieutenants during his active service in the PNP. His presence connected the stories of retired officers with the responsibilities of someone still serving today.

The POTC Class 74 is a large batch, and those gathered at lunch represented only a small part of that brotherhood. My kuya, Colonel Romeo, is more than twenty years older than I am. Some members of his batch later became my students in the Directorial Staff Course or the Officer Senior Executive Course at the Philippine Public Safety College.

Kaya may nakakatuwang pagkakataon na ako ang mas bata, pero ako ang nasa harap ng klase. Sa edad, sila ang mga kuya; sa classroom, ako ang “Sir.” But teaching seasoned officers also meant learning from them. They brought years of actual command, difficult assignments, and practical judgment into our discussions.

Through those encounters, I witnessed their professionalism and gained a deeper appreciation of their service records and contributions to the Philippine Constabulary and the Philippine National Police. Ang paggalang ko sa kanila ay may personal na pinanggagalingan: nakasama ko sila, nakinig sa kanilang karanasan, at nakita kung paano nila inuunawa ang responsibilidad ng paglilingkod sa bayan.

Bilang kapatid, masaya akong makita siyang kasama ang mga taong naging bahagi ng kanyang buhay sa serbisyo. Bilang law enforcement and political analyst, educator at dating municipal councilor, at diplomatic envoy marami rin akong gustong marinig.

The years showed, of course. Most are now in their seventies. But so did the bearing: upright, alert, straightforward, and unmistakably accustomed to responsibility. These were still officers and gentlemen.

Retired na, pero sa tindig pa lang, parang ikaw pa ang mapapaayos ng upo.

Then came the conversation. Between laughter and recollections, they discussed government, public safety, and what they believed needed to change. They offered opinions shaped by years of dealing with people, institutions, and the consequences of decisions.

What struck me was how much they still cared.

Wala nang promotion na kailangang habulin. Wala nang performance rating na kailangang pagandahin. Pero kapag bayan na ang pinag-uusapan, seryoso pa rin.

Their pensions arrive. Their concern for the country never left.

Their law enforcement experience spans a demanding period. They served through the martial-law years, when public safety duties intersected with political tensions and insurgency. Those years require honest reflection, including respect for rights and accountability in the exercise of authority.

Listening to their recollections, I thought about the lessons younger officers could draw from them: how decisions are made under pressure, how institutions function, and how an order can affect lives far beyond the officer issuing it.

May mga kuwentong puwedeng pagtawanan habang kumakain. May mga karanasan ding kailangang pakinggan nang mabuti, dahil may aral na hindi basta makukuha sa training manual.

Their route into service also deserves recognition. As members of the Probationary Officer Training Course Class 74, they brought their college education into the demanding preparation for officership at the Philippine Constabulary Training Center (PCTC), Camp Castañeda, Lumil, Silang, Cavite.

At sa haba ng pangalang “Probationary Officer Training Course,” aaminin kong kailangan ko munang namnamin bago masanay sa pagbigkas. Posibleng may ilan sa mga PNP at AFP officers ngayon na hindi na rin pamilyar sa kursong ito. Even I was not familiar with it. What I did know was the School for Reserve Commission, where my father, retired Philippine Constabulary Colonel Mauro Herrera Teope, graduated.

Kaya may personal ding koneksiyon ang pagkilala ko sa kanilang pinagmulan. My father’s training and their course belong to the stories of how earlier generations prepared for officership. Magkaiba man ang pangalan ng kanilang pinagdaanan, lalo kong gustong maunawaan ang mga kuwentong iyon—dahil bahagi rin sila ng kasaysayan ng aming pamilya at ng paglilingkod sa bayan.

Before Camp Castañeda became the home of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), it was already the training ground of these officers. The camp’s history as a training site for PC and INP personnel is also recognized in Proclamation No. 1536.

Bago naging tahanan ng mga kadete ng PNPA ang lugar na iyon, naroon na ang pawis, pagod, at pangarap ng mga opisyal na ito. Para sa kanila, Camp Castañeda is part of their own beginning—the place where their preparation for a lifetime of service took shape.

That background brought together civilian academic learning and military discipline. Neither route guarantees good leadership; an officer ultimately proves himself through competence, judgment, and conduct.

Sa huli, ang mahalaga ay kung paano ginamit ang pinag-aralan at kung paano pinakitunguhan ang taong pinaglilingkuran.

Their careers took them into field assignments, communities, and government offices. MGen. Danilo Gaoiran later served as an MMDA Executive Officer, while Col. Mario Subagan now serves as Mayor of Suyo, Ilocos Sur. Others have pursued their own paths and noble advocacies, carrying their commitment to service into different areas of community life.

Magkakaiba man ang kanilang tinahak, patuloy silang nag-aambag sa kapwa at sa bayan sa kani-kanilang paraan.

Even their original institution underwent a profound transition. Republic Act No. 6975 ended the PC’s status as a major service of the Armed Forces, while the newly established PNP absorbed its police functions and those of the Integrated National Police.

Pero ang samahan nila, hindi nabuwag. Mahigit limang dekada mula 1974, may mesa pa rin silang binabalikan at mga kuwentong gustong marinig sa isa’t isa.

Our discussion also touched on retirement benefits. According to their accounts, several who completed active service as colonels receive benefits computed using the next higher grade. Section 74 of Republic Act No. 6975 provides for retirement pay at one grade above the permanent grade last held, subject to its condition.

Although they retired from active service as colonels, their retirement benefits, as discussed during our reunion, are based on the next higher grade. In that testimonial spirit, I believe they deserve the affectionate address of “Brigadier General” as a tribute to their years of service. This is an expression of personal esteem, while their formally held ranks remain a matter of official record.

Sa opisyal na tala, igalang natin ang kanilang tunay na ranggo. Sa pagbibigay-pugay, buong puso ko silang matatawag na “General”—bilang pagkilala sa kanilang karanasan, sakripisyo, at paglilingkod sa bayan.

But gratitude should also make room for their knowledge.

These officers can mentor younger public servants, speak with students, contribute to community initiatives, and offer informed perspectives in policy discussions. Appropriate advisory roles may also allow those willing and qualified to serve again.

Hindi kailangang ibalik ang lahat sa opisina. Pero sayang naman kung ang karanasan ay hanggang reunion na lang napakikinggan.

As an educator, I know how a lesson changes when the person explaining it has lived with its consequences. There is value in hearing what worked, what failed, and what someone would do differently with the benefit of hindsight.

Then the bill arrived at the eat-all-you-can restaurant—and out came the senior citizen IDs for their 20% discount.

Doon, walang kailangang mag-unahan sa promotion. Lahat qualified na sa senior citizen privilege. At sa pagkakataong iyon, may malinaw na pakinabang ang dagdag na edad!

It was a lighthearted moment, but it made me think about what those years represented. Behind each ID was a lifetime of responsibilities, difficult decisions, friendships, and service. The years that now entitled them to a discount had also given them something the country should value: experience and wisdom.

Habang tumatanda tayo, nag-iiba ang halaga ng pagsasama. Ang dating ordinaryong tanghalian, nagiging pagkakataong gusto mong pahabain. Mas pinakikinggan mo ang kuwento. Mas pinahahalagahan mo ang tawanan. At sana, mas nakikita rin natin ang halaga ng mga taong kasama natin sa mesa.

To the POTC Class 74, thank you for welcoming me. I hope there will be many more lunches, many more stories, and many more opportunities for you to share what you have learned.

But my appeal goes beyond this reunion: our country should make better use of the experience and abilities of retired officers who remain willing and capable of contributing. From the national government to their own barangays, there can be meaningful opportunities for mentoring, advising, supporting community safety, and helping younger leaders exercise sound judgment.

Hindi lahat kailangang bumalik sa isang mataas na posisyon. Minsan, ang isang barangay na nangangailangan ng gabay, isang kabataang nangangailangan ng mentor, o isang komunidad na naghahanap ng maaasahang katuwang ay sapat nang dahilan upang muling makapaglingkod.

Age alone does not establish wisdom. But when years of experience are matched by integrity, reflection, and a continuing willingness to help, we should recognize the contribution a person can still make. Let us invite them into the conversation—and give their knowledge useful work to do.

Ang mga bakas ng edad ay maaari ring maging bakas ng mga aral na pinagdaanan. Pakinggan natin sila. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataong maibahagi ang kanilang kakayahan, mula sa mga tanggapan ng national government hanggang sa kani-kanilang barangay.

They may have retired from active service, but they are not yet finished loving and serving the nation.

_________________________________________________________

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Warm regards,

Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

*About the author:

Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission.

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Panahon Na Para Magkaroon ng Tinig sa Kongreso ang Sektor ng Peace and Order at Public Safety

*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM

Minsan, habang nakaupo ako sa isang simpleng karinderya sa isang kanto ng Barangay Sto Nino, San Mateo, Rizal, pinagmamasdan ko ang isang pulis na may rango na Patrolman na tahimik na kumakain ng pinakamurang budget meal na may dalawang ulam, isang kanin at ice tea sa halagang 67 Pesos, halatang pagod, tila ba dala-dala niya ang bigat ng buong maghapon—o baka ng buong sistema—sa kanyang mga balikat. Walang kamera, walang palakpak, walang parangal. Just a man in uniform, silently doing his duty, unnoticed by the very nation he protects. Doon ko naisip, gaano karami sa kanila ang ganito araw-araw—mga pulis, bombero, jail officers, rescuers—na patuloy na lumalaban para sa atin, pero sa usapin ng paggawa ng batas, tila wala silang mukha, wala silang pangalan, at higit sa lahat, wala silang boses.

Marami nang party-list organization ang nagkaroon ng representasyon sa Kongreso. May mga left-leaning groups na nakakuha pa ng tatlong puwesto noon, may mga religious sectors na umangat dahil sa solidong suporta ng kanilang mga miyembro, at mayroon ding mga party-list na sa papel ay kumakatawan sa sektor, ngunit sa likod ng kurtina ay hawak ng mga political dynasty, mayayamang kontratista, at mga taong ginawang negosyo ang sistemang dapat sana ay para sa mahihina. The system, which was meant to empower the marginalized, has in some cases been captured by those already powerful. At sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, isang sektor ang tahimik na naiwan—ang sektor ng peace and order, law enforcement, public safety, fire protection, at jail management—mga taong hindi lamang nagtatrabaho, kundi nagsasakripisyo, minsan pati buhay, para sa katahimikan ng ating bayan.

Naalala ko rin ang sandaling nagkaroon ng pag-asa ang ilan sa kanila, noong may party-list na inakalang magiging tunay nilang tinig. Nandoon si General William Macavinta bilang second nominee ng PATROL partylist  na nakakuha ng 1 seat ngunit ang first nominee ay isang businessman, at sa puso ng maraming unipormado na nagbigay ng full support with the lakan power , may maliit na liwanag na sumiklab—baka ito na, baka sa wakas may makakaintindi, may makakapagsalita para sa kanila. Ngunit ang liwanag na iyon ay unti-unting namatay. The representation they hoped for never fully materialized into meaningful reforms. At muli, bumalik sila sa dati—sa katahimikan, sa sakripisyo, sa pagganap ng tungkulin nang walang inaasahang kapalit kundi ang simpleng pag-asa na balang araw, may makikinig din sa kanila.

Sa kasalukuyan, kung titingnan natin ang mga batas na naipapasa, tila kulang na kulang ang tunay na pagtutok sa sektor na ito. Wala tayong nakikitang matibay na legislative direction to strengthen institutional integrity, to uplift the morale of uniformed personnel, to modernize fire and jail systems, at higit sa lahat, to shield them from corruption that slowly erodes their dignity. Samantalang sila ang unang rumeresponde sa sunog, sa krimen, sa sakuna—sila rin ang huling naiisip kapag usapin na ng polisiya at representasyon. It is a painful contradiction—those who protect the nation remain unprotected in the halls of power.

Hindi maaaring umupo ang mga aktibong unipormado sa ganitong tungkulin, at tama lamang iyon upang mapanatili ang neutrality ng serbisyo. Ngunit ang mga retiradong opisyal—ang mga naglaan ng kanilang buhay sa serbisyo—sila ang may kakayahan, may kredibilidad, at may puso upang maging tunay na kinatawan ng sektor. They have seen the system from within, they have carried its burdens, and they understand its wounds. Hindi sila nagsasalita mula sa teorya, kundi mula sa karanasan—mula sa gabi ng operasyon, sa init ng sunog, sa lungkot ng kulungan, at sa tahimik na panalangin bago harapin ang panganib.

Siguro, panahon na upang itama ang matagal nang pagkukulang na ito. Panahon na upang magkaroon ng isang party-list na hindi lamang pangalan, kundi tunay na representasyon ng sektor ng peace and order at public safety. Isang boses na hindi matatakot magsabi ng katotohanan, isang boses na hindi mabibili, at isang boses na hindi mawawala sa tuwing matatapos ang eleksyon. A voice that will stand, legislate, and fight—not for power, but for those who have long been powerless in representation.

Sapagkat kung tutuusin, ang kaunlaran ng isang bansa ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa dami ng tulay, kalsada, o gusali. It is measured in the safety of its streets, the trust in its institutions, and the dignity of those who enforce the law. Walang pamilyang tunay na mapapanatag kung ang mga tagapangalaga nila ay kulang sa suporta. Walang negosyong uunlad kung ang kapayapaan ay marupok. At walang kinabukasang matibay kung ang mga bantay ng bayan ay walang tinig sa paggawa ng batas.

Masakit isipin na may boses ang marami—ang kababaihan, manggagawa, transport sector, at iba pa—at nararapat lamang iyon. Ngunit ang sektor ng mga nagtatanggol sa ating buhay at ari-arian, ang mga unang dumarating sa gitna ng sunog, baha, krimen, at trahedya, ay nananatiling tahimik sa loob ng Kongreso. And silence, in this case, is not neutrality—it is neglect.

Kaya marahil, ito na ang panahon. Panahon na upang makita sila hindi lamang bilang tagapagpatupad ng batas, kundi bilang sektor na may karapatang ipaglaban sa loob ng batas. Panahon na upang bigyan sila ng tinig, ng dangal, at ng puwang sa Kongreso. Because in the end, if we truly desire a strong nation, we must first strengthen those who stand guard over it. At kung hindi natin sila bibigyan ng boses ngayon, kailan pa?

#DJOT

_________________

*About the author:

Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission.

VIEWS: 1.22M

The Servants of the Nation: The Enduring Legacy of PNPA Tagapaglingkod Class 1987

*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM

There is an old saying from France that quietly captures the essence of public service: “To serve is to live twice.” It suggests that a life devoted to serving others is a life that resonates beyond one’s own existence. A person lives once for himself, but lives again through the institutions he helps build, the people he mentors, and the principles he leaves behind.

Whenever I reflect on my journey in the world of public safety, governance, and education, this proverb gently reminds me that the most meaningful chapters of our lives are written not in comfort, but in service.

One such chapter in my life unfolded on July 13, 2002, when I was formally adopted as an Honorary Member of the Philippine National Police Academy Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987. It was a moment that I will always carry with humility and gratitude.

On that day, I had the privilege of taking my oath alongside distinguished personalities such as then DILG Head Executive Assistant and Undersecretary Allan Yap, Undersecretary Marilou Frostrum, former Appointment Secretary to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senator Loren Legarda, Prosecutor General Ben Malcontento, NTC Chairman Roel Canobas and other respected individuals who were likewise accorded the honor of being adopted by this prestigious class. In the years that followed, the class would also extend the same distinction to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Yet the significance of that moment for me went far beyond the presence of prominent personalities. The deeper meaning lay in the identity and legacy of the class that welcomed us.

The Philippine National Police Academy Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 stands as one of the enduring pillars of leadership within the Philippine interior and local government services. Their class name itself carries a profound message. Tagapaglingkod means “The Servants.” It is a name that reflects a philosophy, a commitment, and a way of life.

These men and women entered the service during a transformative period in Philippine history. The nation was navigating the transition from the old structures of the Philippine Constabulary and Integrated National Police toward the establishment of modern civilian public safety institutions. From this transformation would emerge the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Members of the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 became part of the generation that helped shape this institutional transformation.

They were molded in an environment of rigorous academic training, tactical discipline, and moral formation. But beyond their technical preparation, they were shaped to understand that leadership in public safety is ultimately a commitment to service.

Over the decades, many members of this class rose through the ranks and became key architects of reform within the country’s public safety institutions. They helped institutionalize modern doctrines in policing, fire protection, and jail management. They contributed to the development of frameworks that emphasized community partnership, professional accountability, and ethical leadership.

In this evolving philosophy of public safety, the officer is not merely an enforcer of the law. The officer is a servant of the people.

Few classes embody that principle more authentically than the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987.

Their service has also been tested by time. Over the years, members of this class have stood at the forefront of national security challenges, disaster response operations, internal defense initiatives, and complex law enforcement missions. In many ways, they became the bridge between national government policies and the communities that rely on them for safety and protection.

What makes this class even more remarkable is its tradition of adopting honorary members. Within the culture of the Philippine National Police Academy, honorary membership is not a mere ceremonial title. It is a recognition of shared values and shared purpose.

Those adopted into the class often come from diverse backgrounds. Some are academics and strategic thinkers who contribute intellectual guidance to the development of public safety institutions. Others are civilian leaders whose work reflects the same service-first ethos embodied by the class. Still others serve as advisors and mentors who bridge the gap between technical law enforcement operations and broader societal reforms.

Through this integration of honorary members, the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 created a unique synergy. The officers bring discipline, operational experience, and leadership forged through decades in the field. Their adopted members contribute multidisciplinary perspectives that help address complex national challenges such as corruption, governance reform, electoral integrity, and community security.

Together, they represent a unified front of servants committed to the stability and prosperity of the nation.

For my part, my relationship with many members of this class began long before my formal adoption in 2002.

Many of them were once my students at the National Police College during the Directorial Staff Course, a prestigious leadership program equivalent to the General Staff Course of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Within that program, I had the privilege of teaching a three hundred sixty hour subject on Public Safety Doctrine Development.

At that time, I was still in my late twenties. Many of the officers sitting in that classroom were already seasoned professionals holding the ranks of Major and Colonel. Standing before such experienced officers as a young instructor was both a challenge and a responsibility that I carried with deep respect.

Yet those moments remain among the most fulfilling experiences of my professional life.

It was during those sessions that I introduced and authored a framework known as the SET Approach, or Scanning the Environment Tool, a methodology designed to guide officers in analyzing the complex environments in which public safety institutions operate before crafting doctrines and policies.

Through this method, officers are trained to examine political, social, economic, technological, and security dynamics that influence the success of law enforcement strategies. Doctrine is not simply a collection of rules. It is a living framework that must adapt to the realities of the environment it seeks to govern.

What made those classroom engagements particularly meaningful was the caliber of officers participating in them.

Many of the officers from the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 were competing and excelling alongside some of the best minds in the public safety sector. They stood shoulder to shoulder with graduates of the Philippine Military Academy as well as outstanding lateral entry officers who had distinguished themselves in their respective fields.

Despite the diversity of backgrounds, the officers of Class 1987 consistently demonstrated discipline, intellectual curiosity, and humility in learning. They embraced doctrine development not merely as an academic exercise but as a practical tool for strengthening institutions.

Some members of this class were also my classmates during specialized training courses conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. Those experiences allowed us to engage with international law enforcement frameworks and compare best practices in leadership, intelligence, and operational coordination.

In those classrooms abroad, we were not merely participants in a training program. We were Filipinos learning together, exchanging perspectives, and carrying with us the shared responsibility of bringing home knowledge that could strengthen the institutions we served.

Years later, when many of them had already assumed senior leadership roles within the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, I felt a quiet sense of fulfillment knowing that the doctrines we once discussed in the classroom had become part of the institutional thinking guiding their decisions.

PNPA Alumni Homecoming 2005

Perhaps one of the most humbling moments came during the PNPA Alumni Homecoming in March 13, 2005, when members of the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 nominated me for recognition for my contributions in public safety doctrine development and policy formulation in law enforcement. During that occasion, I was awarded a Plaque of Appreciation, a gesture that I accepted with deep gratitude.

For me, that recognition was never about personal prestige. It symbolized the enduring relationship between teacher and student, between mentor and practitioner, and between individuals who share the same commitment to strengthening our nation’s public safety institutions.

Today, as we stand in the year 2026, I continue to serve as an active honorary member of the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987. Time has moved forward, and many of the members of this class have already completed their distinguished careers in uniform.

PNPA Alumni Homecoming 2026

Most of them have retired after reaching the ranks of generals and colonels, leaving behind decades of dedicated service in the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Yet retirement for them does not mean the end of service.

Many of these distinguished officers continue to contribute to national development by occupying vital positions in government institutions, advisory roles, and even elected public offices. Their experience, wisdom, and commitment remain valuable assets to the country they have served for so many years.

When I look at the Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987 today, I do not simply see a PNPA class from the past. I see a generation of leaders who helped shape the evolution of modern Philippine public safety institutions.

They are officers and gentlemen who have spent decades safeguarding communities, responding to crises, and strengthening the rule of law.

They are, in the truest sense of their name, Tagapaglingkod—servants of the Filipino people.

And for someone like me who was welcomed into their fold, the honor remains deeply humbling.

Because in the quiet wisdom of that old French proverb, a life devoted to service truly allows us to live twice—once through our own actions, and once through the institutions and people we have helped guide in their mission to serve the nation.

The PNPA Tagapaglingkod Class 1987, Elected Officers for 2026-2027

_________________

*About the author:

Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission.

VIEWS: 1.16M