OUR
COMMISSIONERS
We are to provide overall direction and guidance in the exercise of the mandate of the Commission and the discharge of its power and functions to formulate policies, standards, rules, regulations, plans, and programs for the operation of the Commission.
.png)
Atty. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
PROFILE:
Appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Atty. Gutierrez is the third Chairperson and CEO of the Commission since its establishment in 2019. She is expected to serve the Commission until 17 September 2031. Born in Samal, Bataan, Atty. Gutierrez began her government career in 1974 as a Presidential Legal Officer. She held several key positions for more than two decades in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and later served as Secretary under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term. Atty. Gutierrez was appointed Anti-Corruption Czar in 2004 and has received several awards, including the Dangal ng Samal Award, the Woman of Distinction Award from the Venture Club of the Americas and Soroptimist International, and recognition as one of the Outstanding Public Officials by the Consumers Union of the Philippines. She was also recognized as one of Asia's Influential Leaders in 2024. She made history in 2005 as the first female Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines and later served as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 2023. Throughout her distinguished career, Atty. Gutierrez has championed causes related to human rights, women's and children’s protection, indigenous peoples, and anti-trafficking. She has also represented the country in numerous local and international forums focused on justice and human rights. With a deep commitment to public service and a strong track record in governance, Atty. Gutierrez is poised to lead the Commission with integrity, grace, and competence.
Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III
Commission Member IV
CLUSTERED REGION 3
Region IV-A and IV-B, and Region V
Base Office: Manila
PROFILE:
Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III is a retired Lieutenant General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and currently serves as Commission Member IV of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). He is responsible for Clustered Region 3, which include Calabarzon (Region IV-A), Mimaropa (Region IV-B), and the Bicol Region (Region V). Before his appointment to the NCSC, he served in the AFP with distinction, holding key leadership positions including Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Commander of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division. His military career was marked by operational excellence in peacekeeping, internal security, and civil-military operations. Known for his strategic leadership and organizational discipline, he earned numerous commendations for his service in promoting national security and stability. Following his retirement from the military, he was appointed Director General of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in 2015, where he led efforts to restore order and implement institutional reforms within the country’s prison system. At the NCSC, he spearheads programs that promote the welfare, rights, and active participation of Filipino senior citizens. His work focuses on strengthening institutional support, building community partnerships, and ensuring that services reach even the most remote communities. He supports initiatives such as the Elderly Data Management System, which improves planning and delivery of services for the elderly and he actively collaborates with local government units and partner agencies to ensure effective programs and protection for senior citizens. With decades of experience in leadership and public service, he continues to serve as a driving force in the Commission’s pursuit of a just, compassionate, and empowered future for all Filipino senior citizens.
Enriqueta R. Rodeles, CPA
Commission Member IV
CLUSTERED REGION 5
Region VIII
Base Office : Borongan
PROFILE:
Commissioner Enriqueta Roncal Rodeles is a distinguished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a dedicated public servant, currently serving as Commissioner Member IV of Cluster 5, Eastern Visayas under the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). Her extensive career reflects a commitment to financial integrity, governance, and the welfare of senior citizens. Commissioner Rodeles holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Manila, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Her expertise in financial analysis has been instrumental throughout her career, particularly in assessing financial positions and performance in various governmental roles. Before her appointment to the NCSC, Commissioner Rodeles was an active member of the Sanggunian Bayan of the Municipality of Dolores, Eastern Samar, serving as a councilor and advocating for community development. Her career also includes leadership roles within the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), where she served as the Chief of the Assessment Division in Revenue Region 6 Manila and as the Assistant Revenue District Officer in Catbalogan, Samar. Following her retirement from the BIR, Commissioner Rodeles continued her advocacy by becoming the Vice President of the Federation of Senior Citizens of the Province of Eastern Samar and later assuming the role of President of the Senior Citizens Organization of Dolores, Eastern Samar. Her dedication to senior citizens ultimately led to her appointment as Commissioner of the NCSC, where she has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the elderly. Among her significant programs are the visitation of bedridden senior citizens, supporting those deprived of liberty, and distributing wheelchairs to those in need. She has also facilitated several land donation agreements, including a Deed of Usufruct in Palo, Leyte, leading to the construction of a proposed regional NCSC office. Additionally, donations from municipalities and private individuals are supporting the establishment of the first proposed elderly home in the Visayas. Through her tireless work, Commissioner Enriqueta Roncal Rodeles continues to champion the rights and well-being of senior citizens, ensuring that they receive the recognition, support, and resources they deserve.
Edwin G. Espejo
Commission Member IV
CLUSTERED REGION 7
Region X and XII
Base Office: General Santos City
PROFILE:
Commissioner Edwin G. Espejo is an elementary and high school alumnus of the Notre Dame school system in Mindanao, run by the Marist Brothers. He studied Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accountancy, at Notre Dame of Dadiangas College from 1979 to 1982, but later completed his Bachelor of Science in Communication degree at Liceo de Cagayan de Oro. His stellar record of community service spans both the national and local landscape. Commissioner Espejo was a dedicated labor and farmer organizer, and a tireless non-government organization worker before shifting careers to become a media practitioner. He became a journalist by profession and served as Managing Editor of the now-defunct Sun.Star General Santos newspaper from 2000 to 2007. As a journalist, he extensively covered major industries in Mindanao such as power, mining, and the fishing sector, including the armed conflicts in the island. On the side, he is an avid sports fan and boxing analyst and owns one of the longest-running boxing columns, Pacquiao Watch. He now calls himself a "journalist in retirement". His professional journey also included consultancy work for various companies and corporations, as well as for several government offices and officials. In 2016 to 2017, he served as a communications consultant for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process during the GRP-NDF peace talks. He also documented the failed peace negotiations and produced a photo book of this historic event. Commissioner Espejo is also the author of a coffee table book on the 2016 presidential election. Apart from being the author of two books, he also dabbles in photography and spends his weekends as a gardener, a budding bonsai artist, and a part-time farmer. In January 2021, he was appointed Commission Member IV of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). Commissioner Espejo played a vital role in crafting several Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of laws passed by Congress and signed by the President of the Republic, including guidelines and other issuances. He currently supervises several regional offices of the Commission in Mindanao.
Ida Yap-Patron, EdD PhD
Commission Member IV
CLUSTERED REGION 8
Regions XI and XIII
Base Office: Davao City
PROFILE:
A pioneering academic leader, Commissioner Ida Yap-Patron represents the elderly population in the Philippines. Since her appointment as the first Commissioner of the National Commission of Senior Citizens in 2020, she has worked tirelessly to promote policies and initiatives that improve the quality of life for our senior citizens. Commissioner Patron has a distinguished academic background with outstanding qualifications. She graduated with honors from the University of the Immaculate Conception with a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and the University of Mindanao with a Ph.D. in Educational Management. Her areas of competence include institutional leadership, research methodology, and language instruction. Her career path exemplifies a history of educational leadership that is transformative. She oversaw institutional development, staff and student quality assurance while serving as the Philippine Women's College of Davao's Chancellor and Academic Vice President. She also spearheaded faculty development and online graduate programs, making a significant impact on educational standards in Manila and Mindanao. Through her widely used textbooks, Commissioner Patron has influenced Philippine teaching as an author. Her works, which combine theory with useful tactics refined from her teaching experience, such as Reading and Writing Skills for Senior High School in the year 2021 and Quantitative Research for Senior High School in the year 2018, demonstrate her dedication to providing high-quality, easily accessible education. Awarded for both academic and public service excellence, Commissioner Patron embodies the intersection of scholarship and civic responsibility. From her early days as a high school teacher and college instructor to her current national role, she has consistently prioritized empowerment—whether for students, educators, or our beloved senior citizens. Her career stands as a testament to leadership, lifelong learning, and advocacy, cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in Philippine education and social policy. Commissioner Dr. Ida Yap-Patron of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing the rights, welfare, and active participation of the elderly in the Philippines. One of her key priorities is improving healthcare access. She spearheaded the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the NCSC and PhilHealth in Davao City, reinforcing the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and ensuring that all senior citizens are covered under PhilHealth. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden of healthcare and ensure that no senior is left behind when it comes to essential medical services. Beyond program development, Dr. Yap-Patron actively promotes social protection and pension reforms. She highlights the unique vulnerabilities faced by elderly Filipinos—particularly women who spent their lives in caregiving roles—and calls for expanded pension coverage to prevent old-age poverty. She is also a strong advocate for ethical and transparent governance, as reflected in her participation in public service ethics and accountability workshops. These efforts emphasize her commitment to a government that is responsive and accountable to the needs of its elderly citizens. Her work also involves forging inter-agency collaborations, such as the partnership between NCSC and the Commission on Population and Development Region XI. These collaborations aim to integrate aging concerns into national development strategies. Furthermore, she has been deeply engaged in shaping the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (2023–2028), ensuring that national policy reflects the real needs and aspirations of older Filipinos.