May 8, 2016, 11:44 a.m. – CIVIL LAW alumnus and former police general Samuel Pagdilao Jr. is running for the Senate on a platform focused on peace and security.
Pagdilao is among the few senatorial bets with a varied set of qualifications, having been a security official, lawyer, educator and legislator.
Pagdilao graduated cum laude from the UST Faculty of Civil Law in 1987 and passed the bar exams the following year.
Pagdilao, the Class Baron of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979, received several awards in his 34-year career as a police officer, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Saber for Leadership, The Outstanding Filipino Award and Ulirang Ama Award.
In 2013, he won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support party-list group.
Pagdilao plans to file bills seeking tougher police discipline (such as higher penalties for cops who extort money from drivers of public utility vehicles) and a stronger criminal justice system.
“These include stronger punishment for heinous crimes and strengthening community involvement in crime prevention,” he was quoted by the SunStar news website as saying. John Paul P. Corpuz and Monica M. Hernandez
