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Romulo L. Neri


President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Romulo Neri as the new president of the Social Security System, replacing Corazon dela Paz

Personal Information

  • Birthdate: February 1, 1950

Education

  • MBA, Major in Finance and International Management, Graduate School of Management, University of California in Los Angeles (1977-1979)
  • BS Business Administration, Major in Marketing, University of the Philippines, (1966-1970)
    • Magna Cum Laude
    • Class Valedictorian
    • Most Outstanding Senior
    • Most Outstanding Junior
    • University Scholar (8 semesters)
    • Joaquin Pleno Scholar, 1968
    • SEATO Scholar, 1969
    • President, Junior Executive Circle, 1969
    • Editor-in-Chief, Business Viewpoint, 1968
    • Manager, UP College of Business Book Exchange Center, 1968
  • High School, Ateneo de Manila High School (1962-1966)
    • Silver Medalist
    • NSDB Gold Medal for Physical Chemistry

Career

  • Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (July 2007-present)
  • Director General, National Economic Development Authority (February 2006-July 2007)
  • Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (July 2005-February 2006)
  • Director General, National Economic Development Authority (2002-2005)
  • Director-General, Congressional Planning and Budget Office, House of Representatives (1990-2002)
  • Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Management - Eugenio Lopez Foundation (1986-1990)
  • Associate Professor for Corporate Financial Management, Asian Institute of Management (1986-1990)
  • Corporate Planning Manager, Canlubang Sugar Estate, Canlubang Pulp and Manufacturing Corporation, C-J Yulo and Sons, Inc. (1980-1985)
  • Assistant Finance Manager (Assistant Treasurer), Philippine National Oil Company, (1979-1980)
  • Planning Coordinator, Philippine National Oil Company (1976-1977)
  • Planning Coordinator, Luzon Stevedoring Corporation (then affiliated with PNOC) (1975-1976)
  • Financial Analyst, Mobil Oil Philippines, Inc. 1973-1975
  • Assistant to the President, Riverside Mills Corporation, 1971-1973
  • Instructor , College of Business Administration, University of the Philippines, 1970-1971
    • Subject: Basic Management
    • Basic Marketing

Issues

  • ZTE controversy. Testifying at a Senate hearing on September 26, 2007, Neri said he had three meetings with COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos, during which ZTE Corp. as a proponent for the national broadband network project was discussed. Neri further disclosed that Abalos told him over a golf game "Sec, may 200 ka dito," which he interpreted as a bribery attempt. Neri said he consulted his lawyer about this, and he was advised to disclose this to the President. This he did, and President Arroyo told him not to accept the money.

    Neri said he asked the technical staff of NEDA to watch out for any indication of an overprice in reviewing the NBN project in light of the bribe attempt.
  • JDV connection. Neri had served as head of the government think tank Congressional Planning and Budget Office (CPBO) for 12 years. He was CPBO head while Jose de Venecia Jr. was House Speaker. De Venecia had recommended Neri to Arroyo during the start of her term as President.
  • From NEDA to DBM and back; transfer to CHED. Neri was appointed as secretary general of the National Economic Development Authority in 2002. He moved to the Department of Budget and Management in July 2005 after its secretary, Emilia Boncodin, tendered her resignation along with other members of the Hyatt 10. Neri returned as head of NEDA in February 2006 upon the appointment of Rolando Andaya Jr. to DBM. In July 2007, President Arroyo pulled Neri out of NEDA and temporarily transferred him to the Commission on Higher Education. Critics pointed out that he lacks the required doctorate degree to head CHED, and that he is an economist, not an educator.

    Media reports speculated that Neri's transfer might have been triggered by the remarks he made in May 2007, when he said that the country's 6.2% economic growth target for 2008 is unrealistic. Neri's observation were apparently made at a time when Malacañang was trumpeting positive economic trends.
  • Supported President Arroyo despite calls for her resignation. Neri was with other officials in Malacañang, pledging his support for President Arroyo, on the same day the Hyatt 10 cabinet members resigned in 2005. He was NEDA's secretary general at that time. President Arroyo appointed him to DBM a few weeks later; he took over the post temporarily filled in by officer-in-charge Mario Relampagos when Emilia Boncodin resigned.
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