Gregorio Honasan
Gregorio "Gringo" Ballesteros Honasan II (Tagalog pronunciation: [hoˈnasan], born March 14, 1948), is a Filipino politician and a cashiered Philippine Army officer who led unsuccessful coups d'état against President Corazon Aquino. He played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution that toppled President Ferdinand Marcos, and participated in the EDSA III rallies in 2001 that preceded the May 1 riots near Malacañang Palace.
The Honorable, Colonel Gregorio Honasan | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2016 | |
| 2nd Secretary of Information and Communications Technology | |
| In office July 1, 2019 – October 8, 2021 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Eliseo Rio Jr. (OIC) |
| Succeeded by | Jose Arturo De Castro (OIC) |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2019 | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Chair of the Senate National Defense and Security Committee | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – November 20, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Trillanes |
| Succeeded by | Panfilo Lacson |
| Chair of the Senate Peace, Unification and Reconciliation Committee | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – November 20, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | TG Guingona |
| Succeeded by | Ronald dela Rosa |
| Chair of the Senate Agrarian Reform Committee | |
| In office July 26, 2010 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Pangilinan |
| Succeeded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
| Senate Majority Leader Acting | |
| In office July 22, 2013 – July 23, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Tito Sotto |
| Succeeded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II March 14, 1948 Baguio, Mountain Province, Philippines |
| Political party | Independent (1990–2012; 2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | UNA (2012–2021) |
| Spouse | Jane Umali |
| Relations | Barbie Almalbis (daughter-in-law) |
| Children | 5, including Kai |
| Residence | Manila |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy (BS) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Civilian awards | Presidential Government Medal |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1970–1989 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Insurgency in the Philippines |
| Military awards | Distinguished Conduct Star |
After 1986, he led a series of unsuccessful but violent coup attempts against the administration of Corazon Aquino. President Fidel Ramos granted him amnesty in 1992. He entered politics and became a senator from 1995 to 2004, and again from 2007 to 2019. He ran for vice president of the Philippines, being Jejomar Binay's running-mate in 2016, but both were respectively defeated by Leni Robredo and Rodrigo Duterte.
On November 22, 2018, President Duterte appointed then-Senator Honasan as Secretary of Department of Information and Communications Technology, which took effect after the latter's senatorial term, with Eliseo Rio serving as acting secretary.