Gary Alejano
Gary Alejano | |
|---|---|
 Alejano in 2016 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Magdalo Party-List | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019 Serving with Ashley Acedillo (2013–2016) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gary Cajolo Alejano 1973 Sipalay, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
| Political party | Magdalo |
| Alma mater | University of Cebu Philippine Military Academy |
| Occupation | Soldier (formerly), politician |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Service | Philippine Navy |
| Years of service | 1995–2008 |
| Unit | Philippine Marine Corps Presidential Security Group |
| Battles / wars | Moro conflict Oakwood mutiny Manila Peninsula siege |
Gary Cajolo Alejano Sr.[1] is a Filipino politician and a former soldier who was a member of the House of Representatives for Magdalo Party-List.
Early life and education
[edit]Gary Alejano was born in 1973 in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. He is the third eldest among a brood of five born to a farmer and a teacher. He pursued a degree in electrical engineering for two years at the University of Cebu before taking the physical admission examinations at the Philippine Military Academy with his trip to Manila supported by a South Korean martial arts group.[2]
Alejano kept his attemp to enter the PMA a secret from his mother who initially opposed him in becoming a soldier.[2] Nevertheless, Alejano entered the PMA and later graduated in 1995.[3]
Military career
[edit]Alejano was part of the Philippine Marines and held the rank of captain..[3] He was part of the force reconnaissance unit who fought against Moro rebels in southern Mindanao. This included the 2000 campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the presidency of Joseph Estrada. He survived a shot near the head in Maguindanao during battle with the MILF[2], and was nominated for the AFP Medal of Valor which remained pending as of 2017 due to his participation in mutiny.[4]
In 2003, he was part of the Oakwood mutiny against president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and led by Antonio Trillanes and Nicanor Faeldon. Alejano at the time was part of the Presidential Security Group. The mutiny failed and the soldiers were arrested and faced rebellion charges.[3]
In 2007, Alejano was part of the Manila Peninsula siege also led by Trillanes. He was dismissed in 2008 from the military after a court-martial found him guilty for violating the article of war.[3]
Political career
[edit]Magdalo tried to run as partylist group in the 2010 election but was blocked by the Commission on Election. Alejano also ran for mayor of Sipalay, Negros Occidental but lost.[3]
President Benigno Aquino III, Arroyo's successor who took office in 2010, granted Alejano and his companions pardon.[3]
House of Representatives
[edit]Magdalo after formally renouncing violence was allowed to contest in the 2013 election. The group won two seats,which was filled by Alejano and Ashley Acedillo.[3]
The group lost a seat in the 2016 election which preceded the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Alejano as first nominee remained in the lower house. Alejano filed an impeachment case against Duterte in 2017.[3][5] The case was dismissed by the House.[6] He has been critical of Duterte's war on drugs and his policy on the South China Sea dispute.[7]
Magdalo kept its seat in the 2019 election, but Manuel Cabochan took over since Alejano ran for the Senate.[8] Magdalo failed to win any seats in the 2022 and 2025 elections.[9][10]
2019 Senate bid
[edit]Alejano ran in the 2019 Senate election under Magdalo.[11][12] He was part of Otso Diretso.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Alejano, Gary Sr. Cajolo (Liberal Party)". UP sa Halalan. April 15, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c Punzalan, Jamaine (April 5, 2019). "Alejano in 'most difficult' election fight without Arroyo as nemesis". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Fonbuena, Carmela (March 16, 2017). "Gary Alejano, mutineer and ex-Marine, leads impeach bid vs Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Dizon, Nikko (March 18, 2017). "Alejano takes fights vs presidents to Congress". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Villmayor, Felipe (March 16, 2017). "Philippine Lawmaker Moves to Impeach Duterte". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (May 15, 2017). "Alejano slams House as Duterte puppet after losing impeachment bid". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ "Magdalo's Alejano to run for senator in 2019". ABS-CBN News. June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Deona, Marga (June 8, 2019). "Rappler Talk: Magdalo's Manuel Cabochan on his new role as party-list representative". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Buan, Lian (October 2, 2024). "Magdalo eyes House return. Which opposition will it be?". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Flores, Dominique Nicole. "LIST: Final party-list ranking in the 2025 elections". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Arceo, Acor (June 5, 2018). "Opposition lawmaker Gary Alejano to run for senator". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Cepeda, Mara (October 15, 2018). "Magdalo congressman Gary Alejano files candidacy for senator". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Talabong, Rambo (February 16, 2019). "Service sans the uniform: Former military, policemen seek gov't posts in 2019". Rappler. Retrieved June 13, 2025.