Commissioner Marcelino Chicano Libanan, or “Nonoy” as he is fondly called, was born on September 20, 1963 to Atty. Camilo C. Libanan and Pacita C. Libanan. He is married to Elda Ellado Libanan, a teacher by profession, and are blessed with five children, Eloisa Salvacion, Sol Angelie, Stella Maris, Marian June and Brad.
Commissioner Libanan completed his primary education at Taft Elementary School at his home town in Taft, Eastern Samar where he was a consistent Honor Student. His Secondary education was completed at the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, Borongan, Eastern Samar in which he graduated gold medalist. His B.S. Medical Technology and Bachelor of Laws degrees were obtained from the Divine Word University in Tacloban City wherein he was a Leyte-Samar Diocesan Scholar and a 100% academic scholar of said university. He passed the Philippine Bar in 1988.
The Commissioner served in various elected positions prior to his appointment to the Bureau of Immigration. He became known as one of the youngest public servants of the country who continuously champion the ideals of new politics based on visions, programs and performance rather than politics of personalities and patronage.
The Commissioner was a Member of the House of Representatives representing the Lone District of Samar in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congresses of the Republic of the Philippines. As such, he served in various capacities among which were , as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Communication, Chairman of the Committee on Justice, Ex-Officio Member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. He also served as the Majority Floor Leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).
During his stint as Chairman of the Committee on Justice of the 12th Congress, then Commissioner Libanan authored, shepherded and defended in the plenary debates several major bills on judicial and penal reforms that were successfully enacted into law. Significantly, the normally rustic and less interesting Committee on Justice, became a virtual arena where learned artisans and gladiators of law, crossed swords with each other in defense of the Constitution, in pursuit of good governance, and to probe the excess of high and impeachable officials. Albeit junior in age, the young Libanan skillfully steered and capably manage the highly-spirited debates in disposing (5) impeachment complaints - an unprecedented feat in the entire history of Philippine Congress.
In the JBC, Commissioner Libanan actively participated in the screening and selection of Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan, as well as Judges of first-level courts all over the country.
In the entirety of his three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, the Commissioner authored and sponsored several vital legislation of national and local significance, many of which were enacted into law.
In the political front, he served as Acting Secretary-General of the biggest political agroupment in the country - the Lakas-CMD with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker Jose De Venecia sit as Chairperson and President respectively.
Other positions held were Senior Board Member of the Province of Eastern Samar, the youngest Board Member of the Country at the age of 24, and Vice-Governor of his home province.
Various honors and awards were also bestowed to the Commissioner during his life in public service. Emeritus Congressional Hall of Fame of 2005 Awardee and Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2001-2004, to name a few.
Source: Bureau Of Immigration
OTHER POSITIONS HELD
- EX-OFFICIO MEMBER, Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) Supreme Court of the Philippines (March 2003-August 2004)
- CHAIRMAN, Committee on Justice (12th Congress)
- VICE CHAIRMAN, Committee on Constitutional Amendments (12th Congress)
- VICE GOVERNOR, Province of Eastern Samar, 1992-1995
- EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, Vice Governors League of the Philippines
- NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE OFFICER, National Movement of Young Legislators
- SENIOR BOARD MEMBER, Province of Eastern Samar (1988-1992)
- The youngest Board Member of the Country at the age of 24
- LIEUTENANT COLONEL (Reserved), Philippine Army, Armed Forces of the Philippines
- MEMBER, World Jurist Association (WJA) 2002-present
- PRESIDENT, Provincial Board Membert Association of Region VIII, 1989, 1992
- PRESIDENT, Divine Word University Supreme Student Council, 1983-1984
- PRESIDENT, Seminario de Jesus Nazareno Alumni Association, 1992
- CONSULTANT, National Youth Commission, 1996-1998
- CONSULTANT to the Senate President, 1995-1996
EDUCATION
- BACHELOR OF LAWS, Divine Word University, Tacloban City, 1983-1987
- (Passed the Philippine Bar in 1988)
- B.S. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, Divine Word University, Tacloban City, 1979-1983
- SECONDARY, Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, Borongan, Eastern Samar, 1975-1979
- Graduated Gold Medalist
- PRIMARY, Taft Elementary School, Taft, Eastern Samar, 1969-1975
- Consistent Honor Student
- SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
- Leyte-Samar Diocesan Scholar, Divine Word University, 1979-1983
- 100% Academic Scholar, Divine Word University, 1980-1981 and 1985-1986
- Development Management Program for Young Legislators, Asian Institute of Management, AIM Development Management Center, Club John Hay, Baguio Cit
- Emeritus Congressional Hall of Fame of 2005 Awardee by the Congress Magazine, Trade Express Asia, Philippine State College of Aeronautics and CSP International Commodities Corporation
- Voted Most Outstanding Congressman for four consecutive years from 2001-2004 (Hall of Famers) by Makati Graduate School, Reserved Soldiers Union, and UNTV Channels 37&39
- Voted as Outstanding Solon of 1998 by the League of Press Association of the Philippines
- Plaque of Appreciation for continued human rights advocacy, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, 1994
- Red Feather Leadership Award as Outstanding Board Member, Provincial Board Members Association of the Philippines, Makati, Metro Manila 1993
- White Dove Awards for Peace Initiatives, National Alliance for Democracy Foundation, Quezon City, Philippines 1992
- Club Merit Award for Outstanding Quality of Service, Leadership and Dependendability, Rotary Club of San Juanico, Tacloban City
- Topnotcher, San Jose Seminary Entrance Examination, Ateneo de Manila University 1979
LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- CONGRESSMAN, Lone District of Eastern Samar (11th , 12th , 13th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines)
- MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER, Commission on Appointments (13th Congress)
- COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS (13th Congress)
- Vice Chairman, Committee on Justice
- Member, Committees on:
- Ways and Means
- Accounts
- Constitutional Amendments
- Games and Amusements
- Transportation and Communications
- Legislative Franchises
- Oversight
- Appropriations
MAJOR LEGISLATIONS ENACTED INTO LAW:
A. JUDICIAL REFORMS
Republic Act No. 9227
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN THE FORM OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR JUSTICES, JUDGES AND ALL OTHER POSITION IN THE JUDICIARY WITH THE EQUIVALENT RANG OF JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND JUDGES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
October 23, 2003 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9279
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND RATIONALIZING THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION SERVICE, THE LEGAL STAFF AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
March 30, 2004 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9282
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS (CTA), ELEVATING ITS RANK TO THE LEVEL OF A COLLEGIATE COURT WITH SPECIAL JURISDICTION AND ENLARGING ITS MEMBERSHIP, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1125. AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAW CREATING THE CTA AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
March 30, 2004 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9285
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND TO INCORPORATE THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
April 2, 2004 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9307
AN ACT CREATING ONE ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH FOR THE PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR, WITH STATION AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF BALANGIGA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980
July 28, 2003 (12th Congress)
Republic Act No. 9406
AN ACT REORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (PAO), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987", AS AMENDED, GRANTING SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO PAO OFFICIALS AND LAWYERS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
March 23, 2007 (13th Congress)
B. POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Republic Act No. 9189
Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING BY QUALIFIED FILIPINOS ABROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
February 13, 2003 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9225
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT MAKING CITIZENSHIP OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENS WHO ACQUIRE FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP PERMANENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COM. ACT NO. 63, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
August 29, 2003 (12th Congress) National
C. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Republic Act No. 9165
Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002
June 7, 2002 (12th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 9160, as amended by Republic Act No. 9194
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF MONEY LAUNDERING, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR THE OTHER PURPOSES
September 20, 2001, amended March 7, 2003 (12th Congress) National
D. ECONOMIC AND FISCAL REFORMS
Republic Act No. 8800
AN ACT PROTECTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES BY PROVIDING SAFE IN MEASURE TO BE UNDERTAKE IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED IMPORTS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF
Republic Act No. 8794
AN ACT IMPOSING A MOTOR VEHICLE USER’S CHARGE ON OWNERS OF ALL TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Republic Act No. 8751
AN ACT STRENGHTENING THE MECHANISMS FOR THE IMPOSITION OF COUNTERVAILING DUTIES ON IMPORTED SUBSIDIZED PRODUCTS, COMMODITIES OR ARTICLES OF COMMERCE IN ORDER TO PROTECT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES FROM UNFAIR TRADE COMPETITION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 302, PART 2, TITLE II, BOOK I OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1464, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED
E. ENVIRONMENT
Republic Act No. 9003
Co-Author/Co-Sponsor
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
January 26, 2001 (11th Congress) National
Republic Act No. 8749
Co-Author/Co-Sponsor
CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
June 23, 1999 (11th Congress) National
F. INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Republic Act No.8974
AN ACT TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY, SITE OR LOCATION FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
July 24, 2000 (11th Congress)
Republic Act No. 8975
AN ACT TO ENSURE THE EXPEDITIOUS IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BY PROHIBITING LOWER COURTS FROM ISSUING TEMPORARY RESTRANING ORDERS. PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS OR PRELIMINARY MANDATORY INJUNCTIONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
November 7, 2000 (11th Congress)
Republic Act No. 9176
Principal Author/Principal Sponsor
AN ACT EXTENDING THE PERIOD UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2020 FOR THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LEGISLATION (FREE PATENT) AND JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION OF IMPERFECT AND INCOMPLETE TITLES OF ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE LANDS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COM. ACT NO. 14J, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC LAND ACT
November 13, 2002 (12th Congress) National
G. LOCAL LEGISLATION
Republic Act No. 9312
AN ACT CONVERTING THE EASTERN SAMAR STATE COLLEGES (ESSC) INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY, INTEGRATING THEREWITH THE MAYDOLONG NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAYDOLONG, PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
July 28, 2003 (12th Congress)
Republic Act No. 9394
AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BORONGAN IN THE PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF CITY OF BORONGAN
March 16,2007 (13th Congress)
