Prospero Pichay, Jr.

Prospero Arreza Pichay, Jr. (born June 20, 1950), also known as Butch Pichay and Pro-Pinoy Pichay, is a Philippine politician. He is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1998 to the present. He is the chairman of the Committee on National Defense of the 13th Congress of the Philippines and is on his third and last termUnder [http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/a10.asp Article 10] , Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, locally-elected officials (including members of the House of Representatives) may run up to three consecutive terms.] as Representative of the 1st District of Surigao del Sur. He is a member of the dominant political party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino.

Biography and career

Pichay was born on June 20, 1950 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. He is the son of Carmen, Surigao del Sur Provincial Treasurer Prospero Pichay Sr. He is a relative of Wenceslao Arreza, mayor of Carmen, Surigao del Sur and Alfred Arreza, mayor of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. He is the second cousin of Carmeling Pichay-Crisologo, former Governor of Ilocos Sur whose husband, Ilocos Sur Representative Floro Crisologo who was allegedly gunned down by his own nephew Chavit Singson. Singson is also running with Pichay under TEAM Unity.

Pichay went to Tandag Central Elementary School and graduated in 1962. He went to Saint Peter's Academy of Surigao and graduated in 1966. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Commerce at De La Salle University in Manila in 1970.

Business and sports career

Pichay is the owner of Carlo Commercial Publishing, a printing press, and Carlo Publishing, the makers of hit street tabloid "Remate". He also owns DZME a commercial AM radio station in Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City.

Pichay is an avid surfer. While a young boy, Pichay would wonder in awe at the big waves in his native Surigao del Sur, and pitied the fishermen who had to struggle with them to survive. He would realize much later that these forces of the sea could be effective tools in contributing to development through tourism, hence, his determined efforts to promote surfing in the country. As Chairman of the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF), Pichay promotes the various surfing destinations in the country, including the town of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

Pichay is also a chess enthusiast. He is the president of National Chess Federation Philippines (NCFP). He is a close friend of Philippine chess grandmaster Eugene Torre, and Mark Paragua. In terms of skill, he can be considered a novice.

Political career

Congressman (1998-2007)

With no prior experience in politics, Pichay ran for congressman for the 1st District of Surigao del Sur in the 1998 elections for the position to be vacated by Mario S. Ty (1987-1998) Under [http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/a10.asp Article 10] , Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, locally-elected officials (including members of the House of Representatives) may run up to three consecutive terms.]

In 2000, Pichay joins congressmen who endorsed the verified complaint against President Joseph Estrada. Coming under the heels of EDSA 2, Congress was reorganized and Pichay was elected Chairman of the House Committee on National Defense. He was again named to the same post when his constituents overwhelmingly voted him into office in the elections for the 12th Congress. Pichay was re-elected as congressman in the 2004 elections. When the Thirteenth Congress was organized, Pichay's political career would take on a more prominent course: he was named Head of the House of Representatives Contingent to the powerful Commission on Appointment (CA).

Pichay voted to junk the 2005 and 2006 impeachment complaints against President Arroyo. At the height of the "Hello Garci Scandal", he said there was nothing wrong with Arroyo talking to Comelec officials, as all candidates talk to them to protect their votes. On October 2006, Pichay authored House Resolution 1285, which sought to convene a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution. One of his proposals is the abolition of the Philippine senate and the creation of a unicameral parliament. The resolution was widely opposed by civil society and church groups and the resolution was shelved on the same month.

When the Department of Justice announced a plan to ban all government officials from going to bars, karaoke joints and other nightspots, Pichay assailed the move as the "highest form of hypocrisy." Pichay believes there is nothing wrong with going to bars if public officials do it on their own time. “Moralizing is very subjective. We should not mix it with governance."

On August 28, 2008, Pichay announced that he will not accept his appointment as board member of the Local Waterworks and Utilities Administration LWUA, for he is satisfied with his current job in a private company. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/116700/Pichay-turns-down-offer-of-new-govt-post gmanews.tv/story, Pichay turns down offer of new govt post] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/116444/Pichay-appointed-as-head-of-waterworks-agency gmanews.tv/story, Pichay appointed as head of waterworks agency] ] [ [http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8041.htm Sec. 7, R.A. No. 8041, the "National Water Crisis Act of 1995."] ] [ [http://www.lwua.gov.ph./about_lwua/30_history.htm lwua.gov.ph, LWUA: Thirty years of service to a once-thirsty nation] ] Pichay Jr., however, on September 4, changed his mind and accepted his appointment as a member of the board of the LWUA. Eduardo Ermita announced that Pichay has decided to accept his appointment as board member with a nomination to be elected as chairman. [ [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=130361 abs-cbnnews.com, Singson confirms appointment as deputy NSA] ] [ [http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics5_sept4_2008 manilastandardtoday.com, Rigodon resumes; Pichay takes the plunge] ]

Other Positions

Pichay holds several positions, including:
*
* Dates unknown: Chairman of the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF)
* August 2008 - present: Member of the Board of Local Waterworks and Utilities Administration
* Dates unknown: President of the Philippine Chess Federation (NCFP)

Bills co-authored

*RA 9355 - Act Creating the Province of Dinagat Islands
*RA 9340 - Amending RA 9164 to extend the terms of office of barangay officials and reset the date of barangay elections
*RA 9344 - Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act

References

External links

* [http://www.pichayforsenator.org/ Prospero Pichay official website]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/candidate/29/Pichay-Prospero-Jr-A Eleksyon 2007: Prospero Pichay, Jr.]
* [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/eleksyon2007/candidates.php?name=Pichay,-Prospero-Jr.-(Butch) Inquirer.net: Prospero Pichay, Jr.]
* [http://www.teamunity.ph/candidates/candidates.php Team Unity website]
* [http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/pichay-personal.html i-Site.ph - Prospero Pichay, Jr.]