MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte appointed a leader of a youth group supportive of him and his administration as commissioner for the National Youth Commission.

Ronald Gian Cardema, chairman of “Duterte Youth” took his oath as NYC commissioner for Luzon on Tuesday, August 29.

Earlier that day, his appointment paper was released to media. They were signed by Duterte on August 24.

Cardema is set to serve as commissioner for a period of 3 years.

Duterte Youth landed in the news after its famous encounter with musician and Duterte critic Jim Paredes during protests along EDSA. 

During the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Paredes confronted members of the Duterte Youth who went to the People Power Monument where thousands of Duterte critics were holding a rally.

Solicitor General Jose Calida publicly expressed support for Duterte Youth, praising them for their “bravery” and calling them “defenders of the republic.”

Cardema previously served as an officer of the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps.

Below are the other new appointees of Duterte:

• Isidro S. Lapeña, Commissioner, Bureau of Customs
• Joseph D.M. Yap, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Singapore
• Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic
• Manuel Felino V. Ramos, Assistant Secretary, Department of National Defense
• Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema, Commissioner representing Luzon, National Youth Commission
• Efren F. Piñol, Director IV, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
• Terso D. Gregorio Sr, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, Department of Agrarian Reform
• Randy B. Escolango, Deputy Commissioner, Insurance Commission, Department of Finance
• Edgar B. Tolentino, Director II, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Finance
• Flor G. Limpin, Local Government Operations Officer VIII, Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Margarita H. Baynosa, Local Government Operations Officer VIII, Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Ana T. Nuguid, Director IV, Department of Tourism
• BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr, designated as Governor of the International Monetary Fund for the Philippines
• BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr, designated as Alternate Governor of the World Bank Group for the Philippines
• BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr, designated as Alternate Governor of the Asian Development Bank for the Philippines
• Jose Charito I. Cortez II, Prosecutor II (Assistant City Prosecutor), Office of the City Prosecutor – Davao City, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice
• Yehlen D. Sanchez, Prosecutor II (Assistant City Prosecutor), Office of the City Prosecutor – Davao City, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice
• Nendell Hanz L. Abella, Commissioner representing the Workers Sector, Seventh Division, National Labor Relations Commission, Department of Labor and Employment
• Rizza Mae H. Sam, Prosecutor II (Assistant City Prosecutor), Office of the City Prosecutor – Davao City, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice
• Jordana Day V. Villamor-Sarong, Prosecutor II (Assistant City Prosecutor), Office of the City Prosecutor – Davao City, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice
• Dina Joy C. Teñala, Prosecutor II (Assistant City Prosecutor), Office of the City Prosecutor – Davao City, National Prosecution Service, Department of Justice
• Romeo S. Magsalos, Director II, National Police College, Philippine Public Safety College, Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Glenda S. Arquiza, Chairperson, Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing, Professional Regulatory Commission
• Michael J. Capati, Director IV, Metro Rail Transit Line 3, Department of Transportation
• Leonard R. Bañago, Chief (with the rank of Fire Director), Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of the Interior and Local Government

– Rappler.com