Bayani Fernando

Bayani Flores Fernando (born July 25, 1946) is a Filipino politician, businessman and professional mechanical engineer. He serves as representative of the 1st District of Marikina City since June 2016.

Bayani Fernando
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Marikina City's 1st District
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Marcelino Teodoro
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
In office June 5, 2002 – November 25, 2009
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Benjamin Abalos
Succeeded by	Oscar Inocentes
Secretary of Public Works and Highways of the Philippines
In office January 15, 2003 – April 15, 2003
President	Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Preceded by	Simeon Datumanong
Succeeded by	Florante Soriquez[1]
Mayor of Marikina
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Vice Mayor	Del de Guzman (1992–2001)
Preceded by	Rodolfo B. Valentino
Succeeded by	Marides Fernando
Personal details
Born	Bayani Flores Fernando[2] 25 July 1946 San Juan, Rizal, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Nationalist People's Coalition (2015–2016), (2019–present) PDP–Laban (2016–2019)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2009)[3] Lakas-CMD (1992–2009) Bagumbayan-VNP (2009–2011)
Spouse(s)	Maria Lourdes C. Fernando
Children	Tala Fernando
Residence	Marikina, Metro Manila
Alma mater	Mapúa Institute of Technology
Occupation	Mechanical engineer; Politician
Profession	Mechanical engineer; Politician
Net worth	₱ 748 million (Dec 2018)[4]
Website	www.bayanifernando.com.ph

During the term of President Gloria Arroyo, Fernando served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) where he gained notability and mixed public reactions on his style of governance. He announced his intention to run for President of the Philippines in the 2010 general elections, but after talks with Richard Gordon, he agreed to run instead as Vice-President under Gordon's newly established party, Bagumbayan. Fernando lost in the 2010 elections, placing fourth in the polls.

Early life and career

Bayani Fernando was born in San Juan del Monte, Rizal (now part of the Metro Manila) to Gil Fernando and Remedios Flores and finished his secondary education at the Marikina School of Arts and Trades (now Marikina Science High School).[5] He finished college with a degree on Mechanical Engineering at the Mapúa Institute of Technology.[6]

Political life

Mayor of Marikina City

Fernando first ran for public office in 1992, becoming mayor of Marikina City. His administration as mayor transformed the former municipality into one of the best-managed cities and a paradigm of responsive and effective governance. His term saw the transformation of Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model Philippine city accorded with 55 citations and distinctions. He was re-elected mayor twice, serving until 2001. He was succeeded by his wife, Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando.

Chairmanship

In 2002, he was appointed Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, directing him to duplicate his transformation work in Marikina City, but for the entire Metro Manila.

For his work as Chairman, he was conferred the Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, Ateneo de Cagayan, The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award for Government Service, the H.R Reyes Academic Medallion of Honor, Central Colleges of the Philippines and Doctor of the Public Administration, Honoris Causa by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

He is notable for introducing U-Turn slots, greatly increasing the amount of pedestrian overpasses at road intersections (called footbridges), pioneering broadcasting of the MMDA, sidewalk clearing operations, and revitalizing the assets and fleets of the government agency. Although some of his policies and structures were met with resistance and complaints, many of these can be still seen today. Subsequent MMDA chairmen continued many of BF's contribution, particularly the construction of footbridges.

Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways

Fernando briefly served as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from January 15, 2003 until April 15, 2003.[1]

Presidential campaign

On January 4, 2008, Fernando announced that he would be running for the presidency in the 2010 elections.[7] Fernando hinted that he had gathered the funds and logistics required for a nationwide campaign and was intent on running for the presidency with or without the support of his party, Lakas-CMD.[8] But on September 16, 2009, when Lakas-CMD chose Gilbert “Gibo” C. Teodoro to represent their party for the presidency, Fernando reiterated "he is keeping his options open and may possibly run as an independent candidate or bolt out of the party."[9]

After talks with Richard Gordon, he agreed to slide to Vice-President under Richard Gordon's party. But he lost to Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and finished fourth.

After holding positions

Nothing was heard from Bayani Fernando after the elections; however, he made an appearance again with then MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, in the issue of informal settlers and the perennial flooding crisis, defending Tolentino in the flood control issues.

On July 25, 2012, a Telephone Interview with Bayani Fernando was made by Senator Richard Gordon in a TV5 Radio Program. Bayani is now busy with his construction and metal fabrication business at BF Corporation.

Run for 1st district Cong. of Marikina City

He ran again, this time for the position of Congressman of 1st district of Marikina City in the 2016 local elections, marking his political comeback in Marikina. He won the congressional race beating incumbent Councilor Samuel Ferriol and television host Jopet Sison. Fernando garnered 43,127 total votes.[10]

ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy

On July 10, 2020, Fernando is among the 70 representatives who voted "yes" to "kill" (reject) the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the largest Philippine television network. The hearing for the network's renewal unearthed several questionable issues, prompting Fernando's vote.[11] He also suggested continuing investigations due to the issues found, and even probing the government agencies that were supposed to oversee compliance and operations of such networks.[12]

Business career

BF Corporation

Later on, he established BF Corporation, an umbrella company that includes BF Construction Company and BF Metal Works. His company became involved in the construction of structures for the Mall of Asia Arena, SM City Marikina, SM City Sucat, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Ermita, Shangri-La Plaza, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, and buildings in Makati's business district such as Rufino Tower and one of the Philippines' tallest, PBCom Tower.[13]

Long after leaving MMDA, his construction company won a Public–private partnership (PPP) bid that will build classrooms and school buildings for the Department of Education.[14]

His company was again involved in a government project, the Common Station for lines Line 1, Line 3, Line 7, and Line 9 (Metro Manila Subway), supplying steel foundations for the structure.[15] The same company would also supply steel that would become the foundation for large span girders in the NLEX Segment 10.1 Harbor Link section.

Personal life

He is married to Ma. Lourdes Fernando, the former mayor of Marikina City. He had one daughter named Tala Fernando, married to John Paul L. Ang who is the eldest son of Ramon Ang. Fernando is a member of the Philippine Independent Church.[16]

See also

• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "The Vote 2010: Bayani Flores Fernando". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
3. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
4. Cabico, Gaea Katreena (June 14, 2019). "Who's who: Richest, poorest House lawmakers in 2018". Manila: The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
5. "Google Sites". accounts.google.com.
6. "bayanifernando.com.ph". ww12.bayanifernando.com.ph.
7. "ABS-CBN Interactive". Archived from the original on 2007-07-09.
8. "MMDA chief will run in 2010 to be next 'no-nonsense president'". GMA News Online.
9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 September 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
10. Alquitran, Non (12 May 2016). "Fernando wins House seat". Philippine Star. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
11. Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
12. https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/29/solons-now-want-to-probe-agencies-that-were-remiss-in-supervising-abs-cbn-operations/
13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
14. Dumlao, Doris (16 August 2012). "Group led by Bayani Fernando, Megawide win bid for school-building PPP projects". Inquirer Business. Manila, Philippines: INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
15. "DOTr at katuwang na kumpanya, nagpirmahan na para sa disenyo at pagtatayo ng common station" – via www.youtube.com.
16. "Speech of President Arroyo during the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Aglipay Church)". August 3, 2002. Retrieved December 14, 2019.

External links

• Official Website - Bayani Fernando
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
• - Transformers Official Website