Leandro Mendoza

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Leandro Ramos Mendoza, current Philippine Secretary of Transportation and Communications, was born on March 24, 1946 in San Juan, Batangas.

He finished his Bachelor of Science degree at the Philippine Military Academy; his Master of Arts in Public Management at the University of the Philippines - Visayas,Cebu City; and General Staff Course at the AFPCGSC, Fort Bonifacio.

Secretary Mendoza is a professional police officer, a noted management practitioner and an inspiring leader. His various professional experiences from his stint as a second lieutenant in the regular force of the Philippine Constabulary up until his appointment as Executive Director of the Philippines Center on Transnational Crime have prepared him to assume the role of the top law enforcer in the country. He was promoted to the rank of Police Director General of the Philippine National Police on 16 Mar 2001. On July 3, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Leandro R. Mendoza as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Secretary Mendoza is married to former Soledad Latorre of Lambunao, Iloilo. They are blessed with three sons and three daughters.

[edit] FAA downgrade

On January 17, 2008, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the Philippines' rating to Category 2 from Category 1, since its Air Transportation Office (Philippines) (ATO) did not follow international safety standards. Consequently, Philippine Airlines (PAL) president Jaime Bautista stated that its 2008 growth targets would be lowered. Just out of 8 years receivership last year, the FAA decision prevents PAL from increasing US flights from 33 per week, inter alia.^[1] Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dismissed acting Air Transportation Office chief Danilo Dimagiba after the said FAA rating downgrade on the Philippine aviation industry (after it "failed to comply with the the aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): outdated aviation regulations, poor training programs for safety inspectors and sub-standard licensing for air frame and engine inspectors"). She designated DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] Secretary Leandro Mendoza as concurrent Officer in Charge of ATO." Also, the Embassy of the United States in Manila warned American in the Philippines "to refrain from using Philippine-based carriers due to "serious concerns" about the ATO's alleged mishandling of the aviation industry." Dimagiba blamed lack of funds for the FAA downgrade, alleging that ATO nees P 1 billion ($ 1= P40).^[2]

[edit] References

Preceded by Panfilo Lacson	Director General, Philippine National Police 2001-2002	Succeeded by Hermogenes E Ebdane, Jr
Preceded by Pantaleon Alvarez	Philippine Secretary of Transportation and Communications 2002 – present	Succeeded by incumbent