Delfin N. Lorenzana – Former Secretary of National Defense, Republic of the Philippines

As our elder statesman and arguably most accomplished Fellow, Del provides the institute with top-level political and military knowledge, insight and relationships. Carrying extensive combat and administrative credits under his belt, he rose through the ranks to Lt. General, with a third of his career spent in the epicenter of action on his native Mindanao. His last duty assignment was as Defense Attaché in Washington DC, where, after retiring from the Army, he later spent 12 years as the Special Representative for Veterans’ Affairs at the Philippine embassy.

Apart from innumerable military decorations, he is the recipient of multiple prestigious civilian and diplomatic awards, including the Presidential Legion of Honor Medal and US Presidential Legion of Merit. As if that wasn’t enough, he boasts an impressive linguistic command of 7 different archipelagic dialects.

“Sec Delfin”, as he continues to be referred to respectfully by his former troops and government colleagues, is one of the few in his exclusive cadre that remains welcomed by all the major political and financial families, long after official service to his country had been completed. As a Minanaoan, he maintains solid relationships with leaders throughout the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), one of the fastest growing areas in the country.