Former San Miguel town mayor Virgilio “Dodong” Mendez was appointed by President Marcos Jr. as the new assistant secretary (Asec) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

This was based on an announcement from Malacańang Palace on Nov. 17, 2022, 

It was revealed that the president signed Mendez’s appointment papers on Nov. 11, 2023, but announced the appointment to the public only on Thursday.

Before his appointment, Mendez served as mayor of San Miguel town and was one of the nominees of the Ako Bisdak partylist. Mendez is a retired national director of the National Bureau of Investigation before he dabbled into politics.

The Ako Bisdak partylist failed to win a seat in Congress. Mendez was replaced as mayor by his son Ian Gil.

For his part, Cong. Edgar Chatto called Mendez to congratulate the latter on his appointment as DAR secretary.

Chatto said Mendez is in the best position as assistant secretary of DAR to help Boholano farmers.

Mendez is slated to take his oath as the new DAR assistant secretary before Sec. Conrado Estrella III this coming week, according to Chatto.