CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATE (1971-1972)

While still a law student at UP, he was the youngest delegate (age 24) to be elected to the
Constitutional Convention of 1971. He voted to ban Marcos from Pres. Marcos from running
from re-election and shared his vision for joint Philippine-American use of military bases to
prevent the dissipation seen in Sangley Point.

MAYOR OF OLONGAPO CITY (1980-86; 1988-93)

Showing astute foresight in preparation for the eventual departure of the United States bases
from the Philippines, Gordon envisioned the creation of a Freeport as early as 1980,
submitting the joint plan with the Development Academy of the Philippines to President
Marcos, who always believed that the US Bases would remain.
In 1980, he was elected Mayor of the city of Olongapo, and during his term transformed
it from "Sin City" to a "Model City." Wherein he:
1. Instituted a transport color coding scheme, for identification and accountability that
dramatically improved safety and security for commuters.
2. Started the first integrated garbage collection system in the country, ensuring the health
and cleanliness of the community.
3. Established the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEBS) in 1991, protecting the rights of
the citizenry against erring and abusive policemen.
Through his wife, then Congresswoman Kate Gordon, the Bases Conversion Act of 1992 was
created, establishing the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Beyond his own community, Dick Gordon was a dedicated volunteer of the Philippine
National Red Cross (PNRC), at the forefront of many rescue and disaster relief
operations and fundraising activities.
1985: Rescue of 42 passengers from MV Asuncion which sank off the coast of Zambales.
The Gordons adopted Lilibeth Acar, a survivor of the tragedy which claimed her entire family.
She now works as a physical therapist
1987: Sent rescue teams to victims of flash floods in Ormoc.
1991: During the killer earthquake, Gordon led rescue and relief efforts in Cabanatuan.
Olongapo City sent rescue teams to Baguio to support evacuation efforts.
1991: sent rescue divers to the Pagoda Fluvial Parade tragedy
1991: During the eruption of Mt Piantubo, Gordon led the rescue effort for 8,000 Aetas from
the Zambales mountains
With the battlecry "Fight On, Olongapo," he led through the clean-up and restoration of the
city within one week of the volcano's eruption.
Through his call of "Fight On, Olongapo," he stood by and harnessed the people to endure
and persevere the devastating time. This led to the complete clean-up and restoration to
order of the city within one week of the volcano's eruption.
1993: after Super Typhoon Didang, reconnected power in Silay City, Negros Occidental
1995: Led rescue operations during the collapse of Guzman Technology Institute in Quiapo.

CHAIRMAN AND ADMINISTRATOR, SBMA (1992-1998)

As Founding Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority(SBMA), he:
1. Created a corps of volunteers composed of former US Navy workers, citizens of Olongapo
City, Zambales, and Bataan, and young professionals and executives from prestigious
universities and corporations here and abroad that protected the former naval facility from
looting and damage and worked to promote Subic as an ideal business and tourism hub in
Asia.
2. Created 70,000 jobs by convincing foreign and local business to invest in Subic, giving rise
to 200 companies pumping US$3 billion into the economy; among them Coastal Petroleum,
ENRON Power, Federal Express, Acer, Thomson Audio, BICC Cables, Omron Mechatronics,
Volvo Penta, Hitachi, and Sankyo Seiki.
3. Attracted domestic and international visitors through eco-tourism with the support of Aetas.
Over 20 international flights a week called on Subic, which was named Tourism Destination of
1994 – just 2 years it opened its doors to the public.
4. Grew tourism investments with the conversion of military buildings into hotels, casinos,
restaurants, the yacht club, golf course, equestrian center, bowling lanes, and other
recreational activity areas.
5. Enhanced infrastructure left behind by the Americans pegged at US$8Billion with the
construction of an expanded and upgraded runway, navigational aids, radar, a new
International Airport Terminal, a highway and tunnel.
6. Modernized utilities through partnerships ups with international firms for power generation,
water, sewerage, cyber-telecommunications and even hosting the first Philippine satellite
station.
7. The Subic Bay Freeport became the country's catalyst to progress and a premier model for
development. It was ready to compete with newly industrialized countries (NIC’s) and had
major investments from Taiwan and Japan.
Subic received many international leaders such as Dame Margaret Thatcher, President
Alberto Fujimori, etc. and was a template for conversion of military bases for Okinawa,
Czechoslovakia, Iran, Vietnam and Panama
In 1996 Subic hosted the 4th APEC Leaders' Summit.

Dick Gordon was the first to fight against the immoral and corrupt administration of
President Joseph Estrada by fighting for the rule of law in 1998, when he was the
subject of a personal grudge that led to his removal from office.

Even as a private citizen, Gordon heeded the call of those in need through his service
as a Governor of the PNRC:
1. Led the successful rescue operations of 18 hostages from the Abu Sayyaf in March 2000 in
Maluso, Basilan, without payment of ransom. Dana Mijal, who was among the rescued
children is now a scholar of Dick Gordon taking up nursing in Zamboanga City
2. Led the rescue and relief operations during the eruption of Mount Mayon in 2000 and
ensured water supply for two months.
3. Initiated the Millennium Membership Drive of the PNRC, raising over Php30Million between
1998 and 2003 for disaster relief and preparedness.
4. Led rescue efforts during Fires that razed the Philippine International Convention Center
and the Office of then Vice President Teofisto Guingona in 2001 and the Manor Hotel in
Quezon City in 2002

CABINET SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (2001-2004)

An active participant during EDSA 2 in 2001, he was appointed Secretary of the Department
Tourism, during which he successfully:
1. Created a strong national awareness of tourism as an engine of economic development
through the slogan - "Tourism Means Jobs."
2. Instilled a Culture of Tourism in all Filipinos by enjoining the participation of the national
government, local government units, tourism councils and private sector to ensure the safety,
cleanliness and capability of the community for tourists.
3. Despite the challenges of international terrorism, Abu Sayyaf, SARS, Oakwood Mutiny,
local peace and order problems, and economic difficulties, the Philippines was able to break
out of the rut of negative tourism arrival growth rates. In 2002, the first time since 1999, the
Philippines posted a positive growth rate (+7.6%) in international tourism arrivals that is
successfully being sustained today.
4. Supported communities such as Palawan, Davao, General Santos City and Koronadal City
that were adversely affected by terrorist kidnappings and bombings by immediately going
there to boost morale, providing support and assistance and to ensure the public of safety.
5. Established a taxi identification and accountability system utilizing body numbers and
uniforms that ensures the welfare and security of all tourists and passengers.
6. Instituted the holiday economics scheme, whereby the observation of holidays was moved
to either Friday or Monday, creating long weekends that allowed Filipinos to travel to domestic
destinations, greatly enhancing business for the tourism industry and its support sectors while
providing affordable opportunities for Filipino families to visit the countryside.
7. Garnered awards for the Philippines as follows: at the International Tourismus Bourse
(ITB) in Berlin, Germany, the largest and most prestigious tourism fair in the world - Best
Booth (2001), Best Marketing Effort (2002), and Best TV/Video Advertising Campaign (2003);
at Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)General Assembly - 2001 Gold Award for
Sustainable Community-Based Ecotourism in Sta. Juliana, Pampanga; in 2003, Dick Gordon
was awarded by TTG Asia, Asia's leading travel trade publication for his Extraordinary Effort,
Leadership, and Creativity
8. Received the respect and admiration of the international tourism industry, and was elected
Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Chairman of the Commission for
East Asia and the Pacific of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) or now UNWTO.
9. Transformed Intramuros into a thriving center for tourism and livelihood. The 16 regions of
the Philippines have been able to showcase the best in tourism, culture, arts, crafts, cuisine,
music, and festivals at Wow Philippines, Intramuros, which has attracted more than 6 million
visitors. Over 4,000 jobs and Php 100 Million in sales have been generated for regional/local
entrepreneurs, vendors, restaurant owners, and craftsmen.

10. Revived the neglected Paskuhan Village into Wow Northern Philippines Hilaga -a
showcase of the Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan, and Central Luzon regions.
11. Supported efforts to preserve Culture and Heritage by initiating and supporting local
government restoration efforts of Spanish colonial Fort Santiago in Manila, Fort San Pedro in
Cebu, Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, and the Cota in Ozamis City.
12. Advocate of History Tourism with he construction of two world-class tourism attractions:
the Intramuros and Rizal Light and Sound Museum, which seeks to break the walls in the
minds of all Filipinos and encourages action, change, and solidarity that we may become a
strong and free people, and the Victories of the Revolution Light and Sound Museum in Imus,
Cavite that gleans on success rather than failure of our forefathers quest for freedom.

SENATOR, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (2004-2010)

In 2004, Dick Gordon was elected Senator of the Republic of the Philippines with 12,707,151
votes, finishing 5th place among the elected Senators in this batch.
In the first half of his term as a Senator in the 13th Congress, Dick Gordon accomplished the
following:
1. Authored 79 bills and 29 resolutions advocating political reform, justice, job creation,
education, and disaster preparedness. He is primarily recognized for passing two significant
bills in the Senate, namely the new automated election system law for fast, accurate and
credible elections, and the holiday economics bill for spurring domestic tourism, employment
and socio-economic growth.
2. Passed the very first law in the 13 Congress, Republic Act No. 9333, fixing the regular
th

elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and several other
important laws, including Republic Act No. 9369, the new Automated Elections System law;
Republic Act No. 9334, the sin tax law; Republic Act No. 9399 and 9400, fixing the tax regime
in Special Economic Zones and Freeports of Clark and Poro Point; Republic Act No. 9492,
the holiday economics law; Republic Act No. 9346, the abolition of the death penalty law; and
Republic Act No. 9367, the Biofuels Act of 2007.
3. Convinced IPU member countries to participate in the 112 Inter-Parliamentary Union
th

Assembly, where he also proposed a resolution on behalf of the Philippine delegation which
was adopted, recognizing the role of parliaments in the prevention, rehabilitation,
reconstruction and protection of groups that are vulnerable to natural and man-made
disasters, and further encouraging the creation of Regional Disaster, Training, Logistics and
Reaction Centres in collaboration with international humanitarian organizations and their local
counterparts such as the Philippine National Red Cross as well as local disaster coordinating
councils to train local field disaster response teams, share international technical know-how,
expertise, technology and other information relating to disaster prevention training, and
management
4. Chaired the following Committees – (i) Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and
Laws; (ii) Government Corporations and Public Enterprises; and (iii) Tourism. Dick Gordon
was also a member of 23 other Senate Committees, namely:

1. Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies

2. Blue Ribbon
3. Cultural Communities
4. Economic Affairs
5. Education, Arts and Culture
6. Energy
7. Environment and Natural Resources

In the second half of his term as a Senator in the 14th Congress, Dick Gordon has
accomplished the following:
1. Authored 106 bills and 56 resolutions, advocating political reform, public order, health,
justice, job creation, education and disaster preparedness. He is recognized for passing
several significant bills in the Senate, namely, the Filipino World War II Veterans Pensions
and Benefits Act which allows veterans to receive pensions from both Philippine and United
States Governments; the Tourism Act of 2007 which provides for the strengthening of the
tourism industry through strengthened promotion and the formation of Tourism Enterprise
Zones (TEZs); and the Act Penalizing Violations Against International Humanitarian Law
which ensures the protection of persons in times of armed conflict.
2. Passed the following bills: Republic Act No. 9499, the Filipino World War II Veterans
Pensions and Benefits; Republic Act No. 9593, the Tourism Act of 2007; Republic Act No.
9803, the Food Donation Act; and Republic Act No. 9851, on International Humanitarian Law.
3. Co-authored the following important laws: Republic Act No. 9496, Extending Utilization
Period of ACEF; Republic Act No. 9500, creating the University of the Philippines Charter of
2007; Republic Act No. 9504, Small Income and Minimum Wage Earners Exemption from
Filing of Individual Income Tax Returns; Republic Act No. 9513, the Renewable Energy Act of
2007; Republic Act No. 9576, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Charter of 2008;
Republic Act No. 9679, amending the Pag-IBIG Charter; and Republic Act No. 9710, the
Magna Carta of Women.
4. Member of the Bicameral Conference Committee of Republic Act No. 9700, CARP
Extension with Reforms.
5. Sponsored Republic Act No. 9728, creating the Freeport Area of Bataan, and pending
legislative initiatives: Senate Bill No. 3429, the Free Patent Act for Residential Lands, and
Senate Bill No. 2454, the SSS Condonation Law of 2009.
6. Authored and sponsored the following legislative initiatives which are on third reading,
pending in the House of Representatives, or awaiting the President’s approval: Senate Bill
No. 2162, Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu; Senate Bill No. 2590, an Act proposing Nine Rays on the Sun
on the Philippine Flag; Senate Bill No. 2591, the Philippine Red Cross Act; Senate Bill No.
3086, the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2009; Senate Bill No. 3298, the Girl
Scouts of the Philippines Act of 2009; and Senate Bill No. 3496, creating the Mindanao
Economic Development Authority.
7. Co-authored Senate Bill No. 1620, on Judiciary Retirement Benefits; and Senate Bill No.
3389, the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009.
8. Chairs the following Committees – (i) Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations
1

(Blue Ribbon); and (ii) Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. Appointed Vice-
Chair of the following Committees – (i) Ethics and Privileges; (ii) Finance; and (iii) National
Defense and Security. Dick Gordon is also a member of 23 other Senate Committees,
namely:

1. Accounts
2. Agriculture and Food
3. Civil Service and Government Reorganization
4. Climate Change
5. Constitutional Amendments, Revisions of Codes and Laws
6. Cooperatives
7. Education and Culture
8. Energy
9. Environment and Natural Resources
10. Foreign Relations
11. Games, Amusement and Sports
12. Health and Demography
13. Labor, Employment and Human Resource Management
14. Local Government
15. Public Information and Mass Media
16. Public Order and Illegal Drugs
17. Public Services
18. Public Works
19. Rules
20. Science and Technology
21. Tourism
22. Trade and Commerce
23. Ways and Means
24. Youth, Women and Family Relations

9. As Chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, spearheaded the investigation on the 2004
P728 million Fertilizer Fund Scam, promptly releasing Committee Report No. 254 which
recommended amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Government
Procurement Reform Act; and on the assailed ZTE National Broadband Contract, resolved
under Committee Report No. 743 with recommendations to prosecute key government
personalities for violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and to enact a
Whistleblower Bill of Rights.
10. Member of the Senate Contingent to the Commission on Appointments.
11. Opposed the imposition of Martial Law in Maguindanao. He challenged the constitutional
validity of Proclamation No. 1959, arguing that the requisites for Martial Law did not exist.

CHAIRMAN & CEO, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS (2004-present)

A long-time Red Cross volunteer, Dick Gordon is also Chairman of the Philippine National
Red Cross(PNRC) dedicated to alleviate human suffering and protect life and dignity
especially of the most vulnerable. His leadership guided the PNRC during the following
tragedies and disasters:

Year 2004
- February 26, 2004 – Super Ferry fire. Sent staff and volunteers after hearing the tragedy
to piers 14 and 15 providing first aid and transporting the injured to various hospitals. Set up
welfare desk to help trace missing persons and provide psychological support to 515
survivors.
- April 14, 2004 – While on the campaign trail in Nueva Ecija, personally led the Chapter
disaster response team in rescuing the people when a fire broke out at a house the area.
Administered first aid to those injured, comforted the families whose houses were burned and
gave them food and relief assistance.
- August 27, 2004 – Joined the local Red Cross Chapter in Tarlac during the
Culibangbang Dike Collapse in Paniqui and resulted to the massive floods in Tarlac,
Pangasinan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga.
- 24 December 2004-Christmas Eve and 31 December 2004-New Years Eve- spent with
evacuees providing Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation serving food and non-food items to
50,000 families throughout the 13 affected provinces of Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quezon, among
others by the mudslides.
- In response to his international appeal for assistance, PNRC raised a record-breaking
PhP200 Million in donations from foreign as well as local donors intended for 2004 typhoon
disaster victims.
- It was also during his term as PNRC Chairman and CEO that, for the first time, the
PNRC became not just a receiving organization but an international donor when we sent
$35,000 cash contribution and disaster experts to help in the relief and rehabilitation of
Tsunami-stricken areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Year 2005
- February 2005 Flare-up of fighting outside Sulu in Mindanao that displaced hundreds of
families from their villages
- 14 February 2004 - Valentine’s Day bombings that killed 11 people and wounded 130
others in the cities of Makati, Davao and General Santos.
- March-April 2005 after receiving a call from radio station DZRH, immediately sought
assistance from the US Pacific Command for planes to spot and assist Philippine Navy and
Coast Guard Search and Rescue of four missing fishermen from Zambales who where adrift
for 19 days at sea.
- 10 March 2005 Food poisoning in Bohol province that claimed the lives of 27 school
children and caused 105 others to be hospitalized.
- 14 March 2005 immediately deployed five Disaster Response Teams composed of 50
staff and volunteer first aiders during the 6-hour Camp Bagong Diwa Jailbreak and Stand Off
in Bicutan, which ended in a bloody firefight.
- 24 May 2005 airlifted the five-day old female conjoined twins from Masbate Province to
the Philippine General Hospital for proper diagnosis of their condition and to make plans for
interventions that may be necessary for their survival.
- Initiated Strategic Partnerships with the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and
Firefighters, Inc. (AVFCFI) and the Philippine Canine Search and Rescue Association
(PhK9SAR).

Year 2006
- 4 February 2006 was the first on the ground to instill order in the chaotic rescue effort
and recovery of bodies at the ULTRA Stampede of the Wowowie anniversary show.
- 17 February 2006 while in Geneva attending a IFRC conference he made an appeal and
made known to the world the St. Bernard, So. Leyte landslide that affected 977 families (or
almost 1000 families).
- August 2006 intervened on behalf of the Filipino government to secure the safety and
safe passage and pushed for evacuation by land, air and sea of Overseas Filipinos Working
in Southern Lebanon in harms way during the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict.
- 21 August 2006 once again, for the third time, led the relief efforts for at least 3,000
evacuated families when Mt. Mayon showed alarming signs of volcanic activity.
- 07 October 2006 was the first to initiate relief and rehabilitation efforts of 8,000 families
affected by Typhoon Milenyo in Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions, especially Sorsogon
which received scant attention as the media focused on billboard incidents in Metro Manila.
- November 2006 while attending an IFRC conference in Geneva received a text from
Khazakstan OFWs caught in the middle of a conflict between Kazakhs and immigrant
workers. He was the first to sound the alarm and call the attention of DOLE and POEA that
led to the evacuation of at least 500 workers traumatized from the battle-torn country.
- 01 December 2006 was the first on the ground in Albay and Catanduanes a day after
Typhoon Reming battered Southern Tagalog and Bicol provinces anew. Leading ongoing
relief and rehabilitation efforts for 15,000 (and counting) evacuees. (p.s. This number includes
Senyang victims. DMS can’t provide separate figures since most families have been affected
by both typhoons.)
- 5 December 2006 launched Project 143 I Love Red Cross on International Volunteers
Day to prepare and train communities to be self-reliant and ready in the face of calamities and
typhoons.
- December 2006 made an international appeal to USAID and international governments
in the light of twin typhoons with Senyang in a span of two weeks affecting 10 provinces and
62,728 families (again, this figure includes families affected by Reming).
Year 2007
- 11 and 27 September 2007 – provided economic linkage for farmers in Sulu and
Northern Cotabato via Fruits of Hope to market mangostine, lanzones, etc to Manila
supermarkets Rustans and SM Shopwise.
- 19 October 2007 among the first to respond at the Glorrietta Blast and conducted search
and rescue and retrieval of missing victims Maureen de Leon and Ranier Tan who’s bodies
were recovered in the debris
- 8 November 2007 first to respond and recovered the body of Francis Luis Avian,fifth
fatality in the blast at Sorrento Townhomes, Barangay Panapaan, Bacoor,Cavite
- 14 November 2007 Batasan Bomb
- 19 November 2007 Typhoon Lando
- 21 November 2007 assist in securing Flight Ambulance International medical crew in
moving comatose Romulo del Rosario via ambu-plane from Irkustk Russia to the PGH.
- 24 November Typhoon Mina
- 29 November 2007 Manila Pen Stand-off

Year 2008
- 9 February 2008 Led rehabilitation Program for Barangay Hall
and health station in Brgy. Sugangon, Saint Bernard, Southern
Leyte in cooperation with the Japanese Red Cross Society.
- 7 March 2008 Led Typhoid Outbreak Operation and Medical Mission in Brgy. Bucal,
Calamba, Laguna.
- 18 April 2008 Led Turnover Ceremonies Housing Project in Maslog, Legazpi City.
- 25 April 2008 Signed Abucay, Bataan REACT and PNRC Partnership for Red Cross 143.
- 8 May 2008 RCY Supercamp, “World Red Cross Day”, in Camp Capinpin , Tanay, Rizal.
- 16 May 2008 Climate Change Forum, World Red Cross Day, Manila Hotel.
- 21 June 2008 MV Princess of the Stars Tragedy
- 23 June 2008 Rescue and Relief Operations, Leganes Gym, Jaro, Iloilo and Panay.
- 24 June 2008 Helped survivors of the MV Princess of the Stars and facilitated reunion with
their families.
- 27 June 2008 Relief Operations in Kalibo, Aklan. (Typhoon Frank)
- 29 June 2008 Relief Operations in Iloilo with Ambassador Kristie Kenney. (Typhoon Frank)
- 1 July 2008 Relief Operations in Iloilo and NDCC Cabinet Meeting. (Typhoon Frank)
- 2 July 2008 Relief Operations in Cadiz City of fishermen whose fishing vessel sank due to
Typhoon Frank.
- 3 July 2008 Relief Operations in Romblon, installed Water Sanitation facility.
- 4 July 2008 Subic Bay , Hanjin Donation for Typhoon Frank victims.
- 11 July 2008 Relief Operations in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and in Cotabato City.
- 12 and 13 July 2008 (Typhoon Frank) Relief Operations in Iloilo, installed Water Sanitation
facilities with the Swedish Red Cross.

Through his effort, a total of 15,000 houses were repaired and built from 2004-2008 in
Southern Leyte, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Laguna, Marinduque, Mindoro Oriental,
Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Sorsogon and Lanao del Norte, devastated by
Guinsaugon landslide, typhoons Reming, Milenyo, Yoyong, Unding, Violeta and armed
conflict in Mindanao.

Year 2009
- 6 January 2009 Assisted 4 victims of illegal recruitment stranded in Thailand.
- 9, 16 and 17 January 2009 Repatriated Filipino OFW’s from war in Gaza.
- 14 January 2009 provided insurance to the 1,200 members of the National Press Club.
-16 January 2009 Assisted 21 fishermen lost in Kalayaan Islands.
- 9, 16 and 17 January 2009 Repatriated Filipino OFW’s from war in Gaza.
- 30 March Led the prayer rally and appealed for the immediate release of the ICRC workers
abducted in Sulu.
- 2 April 2009 Release of ICRC worker Mary Jean Lacaba
- 15 April 2009 Distributed 62 ambulances and fire trucks to PNRC chapters during PNRC’s
62nd year anniversary
On the 62nd anniversary of the PNRC and in line with his dream of modernizing and
strengthening PNRC's rescue capability, he initiated the acquisition and distribution of 62
emergency response vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks and first aid motorcycles
which were distributed to the PNRC chapters and branches.
- 18 April 2009 Release of ICRC worker Andreas Notter
- 19 April 2009 Assisted three Filipina victims of human trafficking in Ivory Coast, West Africa
- 12 July 2009 Release of ICRC worker Eugenio Vagni.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Dr. Jakob Kellenberger
commended PNRC Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon’s dedication in fulfilling its mission in
alleviating human suffering and for showing great concern during the abduction of the ICRC
workers - Mary Jean Lacaba, Andreas Notter and Eugenio Vagni. “Your genuine interest and
care for the 3 kidnapped colleagues and their relatives is another living proof of your deep
humanitarian motivation and exemplary commitment to alleviate human suffering,”
Kellenberger said.
- 23 July 2009 Assisted an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) returning from Doha, Qatar
who was imprisoned at the state’s Deportation Jail after being accused of abandonment of
work or escaping from his employer.
- 26 September 2009 Typhoon Ondoy Floods deployed 21 rubber boats to Marikina,
Cainta, Manila, Quezon City and Mandaluyong. Fifteen Water Search and Rescue (WASAR)
Teams in coordination with the Coast Guard rescued stranded persons and affected families.
Non-food items were provided for 225,000 families, including hygiene kits for 18,278 families,
cleaning materials for 1,500 families and 19 water bladders were set up in evacuation centers
providing potable water as well as 50 portalets and constructed 20 permanent toilets for
sanitation.
- 3 October 2009 Typhoon Pepeng, even before the storm slammed Pangasinan and La
Union, deployed rescue trucks bringing rescue boats and equipment were already speeding
to the said areas. Requested USAID to encourage American soldiers to convert military
mission to humanitarian mission.

Dick Gordon takes responsibility for the welfare of the nation. He does not fix the blame; he
fixes the problem. He sensibly chooses his responses and makes reliable decisions for the
welfare of the country. Dick Gordon is quick to act when circumstances require it, especially
in imminent and actual emergencies and disasters. He is also well known for turning around
difficult situations, transforming hard and desperate circumstances, and leading the people to
live better lives.