Former CA justice is new PRC chief

MANILA, Philippines - Former Court of Appeals Justice Nicolas P. Lapeña Jr on Tuesday formally assumed office as head of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). He replaced Dr. Leonor T. Rosero, who finished her term last month. In a statement posted on the PRC website, Lapeña promised to give priority to the welfare of the commission's employees “so they can be effective in serving the public." “We have to work as a team, like one big happy family so we can effectively serve our clients," he was quoted in the statement as saying during the flag raising ceremony at the PRC office. He also appealed to the 500-strong PRC rank-and-file staff to be “DHL" (dedicated, honest, and loyal) to their work as they cater to millions of professionals coming from 42 different professions. Among those who welcomed Lapeña were PRC Commissioners Nilo L. Rosas and Ruth Raña Padilla. According to the statement, Lapeña was born on September 17, 1931 in Baliuag, Bulacan. He is married to Aurelia T. de Guzman and blessed with four children. Lapeña earned a Bachelor of Laws degree at Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) in 1958, Master in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, Quezon City in 1962, M..A. Development Economics at Williams College in Massachussets, USA (1965), and Master of Laws at the University of Manila (2000). He began his career at the Central Bank of the Philippines in 1954 to 1969. After that he taught law at the Philippine Judicial Academy, U.P., San Sebastian College, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Manila, and New Era University (NEU), where he became president from 1978 to 1983. He also became president of the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (1973 to 1978) and concurrent chairman of the Philippine Postal Savings Bank (2002 to present). He’s a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine Institute of Certified Accountant (PICPA), Christian Lawyers Association Foundation Inc., and Philippine Association of Law Professors, Philippine Association of Law Schools. - GMANews.TV