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The Honorable
RICHARD JUICO GORDON
Secretary
Department of Tourism |
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Coming from an illustrious family of leaders, Sec. Richard Juico Gordon
needs no introduction. His father James L. Gordon was the founder of Olongapo and its
first elected municipal mayor. Likewise, his mother Amelia J. Gordon was the first mayor
of Olongapo when it became a city.
Following family tradition, Sec. Gordon, too, became Mayor of Olongapo
from 1980 to 1993 earning the distinction of being the youngest ever elected to the
office. From 1992-1998 he was the Founding Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority, a brainchild of his that gave new life to the city after the
dismantlement of the US Military Bases in 1991. He was also once a Governor of the
Philippine National Red Cross.
"DICK", as he prefers to be called, finished elementary at the San Juan De
Letran. He then went to high school at the Ateneo de Manila. He then completed a degree in
AB History & Government also at the Ateneo. Eventually he went on to study law at the
University of the Philippines (UP) where he graduated in 1975.
Sec. Gordon earned his spires as an associate at the ACCRA Law Office
in 1975. But before that, he was the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional
Convention at age 24 while still a sophomore law student at the UP.
A hard worker and disciplinarian, Sec. Gordon is a recipient of
countless national and international awards and citations, most notably the Ten
Outstanding Young Men in the Philippines in 1983, the Asiaweek 20 Great Asians of the
Future in 1995, the Outstanding Filipino Award in 1996 and the youngest awardee to date,
and the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UP Alumni Association in 1997,
A native of Zambales, Sec. Gordon is married to Kate Gordon who is the
current mayor of Olongapo. |
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