MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Ilocos regional tourism director Joseph Francisco “Jeff” Ortega as the chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC), replacing Ronald Cardema.
“President Marcos is confident that under Ortega’s leadership, the NYC will continue to be a vital force in shaping the future of the nation, inspiring young Filipinos to take on leadership roles and make meaningful contributions to society,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement on Thursday, August 29.
“With a distinguished background in tourism and youth advocacy, Ortega is well-positioned to lead the NYC in its mission to develop and implement policies that will further the welfare and development of young Filipinos across the country,” the PCO added.
According to an Esquire article in January 2024, Ortega ran the following businesses in his home province of La Union: La Union Surf School, Stoked Inc. franchises, Ripcurl Philippines, and Mad Monkeys. He used to stage the La Union Soul Surf Music Festival.
In 2020, Ortega drew flak online for introducing then-former senator Marcos as “the Vice President of the Philippines” despite having lost to Leni Robredo in 2016. Critics were convinced that it was not a mistake but a deliberate action on Ortega’s part because he even posted a video of it on his social media account.
Malacañang also announced on Thursday the appointment of Karl Josef Legazpi, a director at the House of Representatives, as the NYC’s second commissioner-at-large.
Prior to his appointment, Ortega served as Department of Tourism Ilocos Region chief since 2019.
Ortega obtained his political science degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2013, and his Master of Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in 2023.
Under the Republic Act No. 8044 or The Youth in Nation Building Act that created the NYC, the chairman will serve for a three-year term, and can be reappointed for another term.
Ortega replaces Cardema, who served as NYC chairman from 2018 to 2020, and was reappointed by then-president Rodrigo Duterte in January 2022.
In recent years, the Commission on Audit had flagged fund misuse and questionable expenses by the NYC. – Rappler.com
