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Salvador Medialdea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Campo and the surname or paternal family name is Medialdea.
Salvador Medialdea
Medialdea in March 2018
38th Executive Secretary
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byPaquito Ochoa Jr.
Succeeded byVictor Rodriguez
Chairman of the National Quincentennial Committee
In office
May 8, 2018 – April 27, 2022
Appointed byRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byPosition established
Presidential Assistant for Political Affairs
In office
July 2000 – November 2000
PresidentJoseph Estrada
President of the National Livelihood Development Corporation
In office
October 1998 – June 15, 2000
PresidentJoseph Estrada
Personal details
Born
Salvador Campo Medialdea

(1951-10-14) October 14, 1951 (age 73)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyPDP
SpouseMaria Bertola Dizon Medialdea
ChildrenPaolo Angelo Dizon Medialdea
Residence(s)Makati, Metro Manila
Alma materColegio de San Juan de Letran (BS)
San Beda College (LL.B.)
OccupationLawyer
Signature

Salvador "Bingbong" Campo Medialdea (born October 14, 1951)[1] is a Filipino lawyer and former government official. He served as the Executive Secretary from 2016 to 2022 in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. He previously served as Presidential Assistant for Political Affairs and president of the National Livelihood Development Corporation under President Joseph Estrada.

In March 2025, Medialdea served as Duterte's counsel during the latter's arrest and subsequent pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).[2]

Early life and education

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Medialdea is the son of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Leo D. Medialdea who served from 1988 to 1992 under President Corazon Aquino. Born in Manila, Medialdea spent his early years in Davao City, where he was a childhood friend of President Rodrigo Duterte. He attended the Light Bringer School in the city before moving back to Manila to finish high school at Paco Catholic School. He received his BS Commerce Major in Management from Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1972 and his law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1976. He passed the bar exams the following year.[3][4]

Career

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Medialdea (left) at the Vnukovo Base Airport in Moscow in 2019

Medialdea began his legal career as a senior associate at ACCRA Law Offices. He then worked as a partner at Pecabar Law Offices, the law firm of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Rene Cayetano, before becoming a managing partner at Medialdea Ata Bello Guevarra Suarez Law Firm (MABGS).[3]

From 1998 to 2000, he served as chairman of the Northern Foods Corporation based in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. He began work in government in 1998 at the Livelihood Corporation (now National Livelihood Development Corporation) upon the invitation of President Joseph Estrada. He became a member of the board of trustees and administrator of the government-owned corporation while also serving as chairman of the Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises. In 2000, he was appointed by Estrada as presidential assistant for political affairs.[3]

At the start of President Rodrigo Duterte's term on June 30, 2016, Medialdea was appointed Executive Secretary.[5]

Medialdea still serves as partner at the MABGS law firm, whose clients include President Duterte. He is also director for Manchester International Holdings and Accette Insurance. He also served briefly as bar examiner for the Supreme Court in 2006.[3]

On May 8, 2018, President Duterte created the National Quincentennial Committee for the 500th anniversary commemoration of the arrival of the Magellan-Elcano expedition in the Philippine islands, appointing Medialdea as chairman of the committee. They held their inaugural meeting on June 29, 2018, in Baler, Aurora.[6]

Medialdea (left) accompanying Duterte on board a plane to The Hague for Duterte's trial.

A close ally of Duterte, Medialdea was among the few people who accompanied the former president when he was arrested by police authorities in March 2025 based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing Duterte of crimes against humanity. On March 14, 2025, he acted as Duterte's lawyer at the first appearance in front of the Pre-Trial Chamber.[2][7] On March 18, Medialdea was hospitalized after visiting Duterte in detention.[8] The next day, it was announced that he would withdraw from Duterte's legal team, citing limited slots.[9]

Personal life

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Medialdea is married to Maria Bertola "Betty" Dizon, a lawyer and head of an insurance company, with whom he has one son.[4] His family has roots in Davao City, Aklan, and Ilocos Region. Outside of work, he enjoys playing piano and classical music. He was one of the producers of Miss Saigon in Manila in 2000 and formally closed the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Certification of Independent Director" (PDF). Melco Crown Philippines. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ICC-01/21-01/25-88 (ICC 2025-03-13).
  3. ^ a b c d "The Duterte Cabinet". Interaksyon. June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Herrera, C. (May 23, 2016). "Executive secretary is a mean piano player". The Standard. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  5. ^ Ranada, P. (May 16, 2016). "Medialdea is executive secretary, Panela is spokesman". Rappler. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  6. ^ "National Quincentennial Committee to launch commemorative activities". Philippine Information Agency. Quezon City. PIA-NCR. December 19, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Domingo, Katrina (March 11, 2025). "Duterte questions ICC warrant of arrest, demands answers for 'deprivation of liberty'". ABS-CBN News. Manila: ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Bajo, Anna Felicia (March 22, 2025). "Medialdea out of hospital in the Netherlands —Bong Go". GMA News. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  9. ^ Sigales, Jason (March 19, 2025). "Medialdea to withdraw as Duterte's ICC counsel, says VP Sara". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
Political offices
Preceded by Executive Secretary of the Philippines
2016–2022 		Succeeded by
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