New NCSC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Gutierrez Commits to Serve Filipino Seniors with Heart and Integrity

Former Ombudsman and Justice Secretary Atty. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez officially assumed office as the new Chairperson and CEO of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) on 04 November 2025, with the commitment to lead with integrity, transparency, and compassion in pursuit of empowering Filipino senior citizens.

In her message, Atty. Gutierrez expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the trust and confidence bestowed upon her to lead the Commission.

“This appointment is not a personal honor. It is, and must be, understood as a solemn call to service — a charge to lead an institution built on a promise to honor, protect, and empower more than 11 million Filipino senior citizens,” said Atty. Gutierrez.

She emphasized that the NCSC’s work extends beyond charity or social welfare as it is a moral and civic duty rooted in justice, gratitude, and good governance.

“Our mission is to ensure that the Filipino senior citizen is not an object of passive care, but an active, empowered, and integrated participant in nation-building,” she added.

Atty. Gutierrez also called for collective action among government agencies, private organizations, and communities to advance the welfare of older persons across the country.

NCSC Commissioners Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, Enriqueta R. Rodeles, Edwin G. Espejo, and Dr. Ida Yap-Patron showed optimism about working alongside Atty. Gutierrez in charting a unified and strategic direction for the Commission.

Acting Executive Director Ana Marie C. Calapit likewise expressed her confidence in the new leadership, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to a shared purpose and cohesive vision.

Recognizing Atty. Gutierrez’s decades of exemplary public service, the NCSC is confident that under her stewardship, the Commission will continue to deliver tangible and inclusive programs and services that truly value Filipino senior citizens.

“Let us break down silos, coordinate our efforts, and ensure that every government peso and every ounce of effort is maximized for the people we serve,” Atty. Gutierrez concluded.