Olongapo City, Zambales — Senatorial candidate and former colonel Gregorio “Gringo” Ballesteros Honasan II emphasized that lawmaking should be data-driven, not rooted in political compromise.
Speaking at a campaign rally hosted by Olongapo mayoral candidate and renowned businessman Arnold Vegafria on April 27, Honasan reflected on his experience as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), stressing the critical role of data in effective decision-making.
Addressing the media at The Palace, Honasan said, “When we gather and use data as the foundation for crafting laws, governance becomes more efficient, responsive, and impactful.”
When asked why he continues to seek public office, Honasan candidly responded, “Dapat boundary na ako. Naging sundalo, rebelde, senador, at government official, pero bakit tumatakbo pa rin ako ngayon? Hanggat may nakikita akong nagugutom sa ating bayan, tuloy pa rin ang aking laban.”
(“I should have already retired. I’ve been a soldier, rebel, senator, and government official, so why am I still running? As long as I see hunger and suffering in our country, my fight continues.”)
Honasan expressed gratitude to Vegafria for providing him the opportunity to engage in an honest, heartfelt dialogue with Olongapeños, saying that having a friend like Vegafria is truly a blessing.
Born on March 14, 1948, Honasan is a prominent figure in Philippine history — a soldier turned politician. He played a pivotal role in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos and subsequently led several coup attempts against President Corazon Aquino. Granted amnesty by President Fidel Ramos in 1992, Honasan transitioned into politics, serving as senator from 1995 to 2004, and again from 2007 to 2019.
In 2016, he ran for vice president alongside Jejomar Binay but lost to Leni Robredo. Two years later, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Honasan as Secretary of the DICT, where he helped lay the foundations for key digital infrastructure and policy reforms in the country.