REHAN BALT-LAO

Rehan Balt-Lao is the current General Secretary for Muslim Affairs of PDP Laban and one of the leading advocates of Muslim rights and a federal form of government for the country. 

Mr. Balt-Lao also serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UCPB-CIIF Finance and Development Corporation (COCOFINANCE) and the UCPB-CIIF Foundation Inc., both aiming to help uplift coconut farmers and coconut-producing communities across the country. 

He had also had a stint as Chief-of-Staff for the Office of the Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It was also through this capacity that he campaigned for the country’s government to transition to a federal form of government. Prior to this, he worked in other government agencies, such as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Civil Service Commission (CSC). He also worked for the Quezon City Local Government. All of these attest to his commitment to serving the country and marginalized communities.  

Mr. Balt-Lao has a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from the Brethren Evangelical School of Theology International and Juris Doctor from the Mindanao State University, reflecting his passion for excellence.