Gregorio Honasan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregorio Honasan
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Official portrait, 2016
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| 2nd Secretary of Information and Communications Technology | |
| In office July 1, 2019 – October 8, 2021 |
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| 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 |
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| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004 |
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| Chair of the Senate National Defense and Security Committee | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – November 20, 2018 |
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| 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 |
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| Preceded by | TG Guingona |
| Succeeded by | Ronald dela Rosa |
| Chair of the Senate Agrarian Reform Committee | |
| In office July 26, 2010 – June 30, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Pangilinan |
| Succeeded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II
March 14, 1948 Baguio, Mountain Province, Philippines |
| Political party | Reform PH (since 2024) |
| Other political affiliations |
UNA (2012–2021) Independent (until 2012; 2021–2024) |
| 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 | 1971–1989 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Insurgency in the Philippines |
| Military awards | Distinguished Conduct Star |
Gregorio "Gringo" Ballesteros Honasan II (born March 14, 1948) is a Filipino politician and a former Philippine Army officer. He played an important part in the 1986 EDSA Revolution that helped remove President Ferdinand Marcos from power. He also took part in the EDSA III protests in 2001.
After 1986, he was involved in several attempts to change the government under President Corazon Aquino. He received a pardon in 1992. Later, he entered politics and became a senator from 1995 to 2004, and again from 2007 to 2019. In 2016, he ran for Vice President of the Philippines alongside Jejomar Binay, but they were not elected.
From 2019 to 2021, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. In this role, he helped create many digital policies that improved the Philippines' technology landscape.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gregorio Honasan was born in Baguio on March 14, 1948. His parents were Colonel Romeo Gillego Honasan and Alicia "Alice" Masip Ballesteros. He has six brothers and sisters.
He attended San Beda College for his early schooling. He then studied in Taiwan at the Dominican International School. He finished high school at Don Bosco Technical College in the Philippines. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Philippine Military Academy. There, he received the "Class Baron" award, which is the highest leadership honor at the academy.
Military Career
After graduating in 1971, Gregorio Honasan joined the Philippine Army's special forces. He was part of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment. He served in combat against rebel groups in Luzon and Mindanao. He was injured in battles in Lebak and Jolo.
He rose through the ranks in the military. In 1974, he became an aide-de-camp to Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. Later, he became the Chief of Security for the Defense Ministry.
Political Journey
People Power Revolution
In 1986, Honasan and a group of military officers, supported by Minister Enrile, used public unrest to try and change the government led by President Ferdinand Marcos. When their plan was discovered, they sought safety in the military headquarters. They asked civilians, the media, and the Catholic Church for help.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to protect Honasan and his men from Marcos' forces. This event started the 1986 People Power Revolution. This revolution led to Marcos leaving power and Corazon Aquino becoming president.
Government Changes
President Aquino recognized Honasan for his role in the EDSA Revolution. She gave him a Distinguished Conduct Star and the Presidential Government Medal in 1986. Under the new government, he led a special group in the defense ministry.
He was later involved in several attempts to change the government under President Aquino. On August 28, 1987, there was fighting in the streets. Honasan's men attacked government buildings, and many people were hurt or died. Government forces stopped the attack, but Honasan escaped. He was later caught and held on a Navy ship in Manila Bay. He managed to escape again by convincing his guards to join him.
Serving in the Senate
In 1992, Fidel Ramos became President and granted a pardon to Honasan. Honasan then used his public recognition to enter politics in 1995. He became the second independent candidate in Philippine history to win a seat in the Senate.
He was re-elected in 2001. From April 25 to May 1, 2001, he joined other politicians like Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor Santiago in the EDSA III protests. These protests supported former President Joseph Estrada. On May 1, 2001, some protesters marched towards Malacañang Palace.
He left the Senate when his term ended in 2004. In the general election in May 2007, he was elected to the Senate again. He ran as an independent candidate and finished 10th among the candidates. He started his new term on June 30. He was reelected in the 2013 elections, serving his fourth term.
During the 2016 Philippine general elections, Honasan ran for Vice President. He was the running mate of Jejomar Binay under the United Nationalist Alliance party. Honasan placed 6th in the vice presidential race.
Information and Communications Technology Secretary
On November 22, 2018, President Duterte appointed Honasan as the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. He officially took office on July 1, 2019, after his Senate term ended. The Commission on Appointments confirmed his appointment on September 11, 2019.
In January 2020, the Department was reviewed by the Commission on Audit of the Philippines. They looked into some funds under Honasan's leadership. Secretary Honasan and Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. later stated that the expenses were "lawful and legitimate."
Senate Comeback Attempts
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On October 8, 2021, Honasan filed his papers to run for senator in the 2022 elections. This meant he finished his time as Secretary of Information and Communications Technology. President Rodrigo Duterte supported his candidacy. He was also part of the senatorial slates for presidential candidates Panfilo Lacson and Bongbong Marcos. However, he did not win a seat, placing 18th. He accepted the results on May 11, 2022.
On October 7, 2024, Honasan again filed his papers to run for senator in the 2025 elections. This time, he ran under the Reform PH Party. However, he was not elected, placing 28th.
Post-Political Life
In April 2024, a film producer named Ferdinand Topacio announced plans for a movie about Honasan's life. The movie is titled Gringo: The Greg Honasan Story. Senator Robin Padilla was later chosen to play Honasan in the film. Padilla had played him before in a 1994 action movie.
On June 10, 2024, Honasan and other colleagues established the Reform PH party in San Juan, Metro Manila.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2016
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Colonel rank insignia
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Honasan in 2010
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Honasan speaking at a campaign rally in Quezon City in 2022
