Hernani Braganza

Hernani Braganza
Hernani Braganza
	Braganza as a member of the House of Representatives
Secretary of Agrarian Reform
	In office; February 12, 2001 – January 15, 2003
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Horacio Morales
Succeeded by	Roberto Pagdanganan
Member of the House of Representatives from Pangasinan's 1st district
	In office; June 30, 1995 – February 12, 2001
Preceded by	Oscar Orbos
Succeeded by	Arthur Celeste
Press Secretary
	In office; January 20 – June 17, 2003
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Ignacio Bunye
Succeeded by	Milton Alingod
Mayor of Alaminos, Pangasinan
	In office; June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013
Vice Mayor	Teofilo Humilde Jr. (2004–2010); Cesar Manzano (2010–2013)
Preceded by	Eduardo Fontelera
Succeeded by	Arthur Celeste
Personal details
Born	Hernani Agsalud Braganza; August 7, 1964; Quezon City, Philippines
Party	Aksyon Dapat (partylist; 2024–present)
Other political; affiliations	Liberal (2009–2013); Lakas (1995–2009); Independent (1995)
Spouse	Stella Marie Jaro

Hernani "Nani" Agsalud Braganza (born August 7, 1964) is a former Filipino politician and government official. He served under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as secretary of agrarian reform from 2001 to 2003, and briefly as press secretary from January to June 2003. Braganza also served in the House of Representatives as the representative for Pangasinan's 1st district from 1995 to 2001.

Early life and education

Braganza was born on August 7, 1964 in Quezon City to Pedro Braganza and Purita Agsalud, a cousin of former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani and former president Fidel V. Ramos. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at De La Salle University.

Political career

House of Representatives (1995–2001)

In 1995, Braganza ran as an independent and was elected to the House of Representatives as the representative for Pangasinan's 1st district, succeeding Oscar Orbos who was elected provincial governor. He served until February 2001, when he resigned upon appointment by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as secretary of agrarian reform.^[1]

Cabinet service (2001–2004)

Braganza served as secretary of agrarian reform until January 2003. He was later appointed press secretary by Arroyo on January 20, 2003. He also joined the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process as a member of the government's negotiating panel for peace talks with the CPP–NPA–NDF from March of the same year until January 2004.^[2]

He was also the Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs from 2003 to 2004.^[2]

Mayor of Alaminos, Pangasinan (2004–2013)

After his cabinet service, Braganza ran for mayor of Alaminos City in Pangasinan, where he won three consecutive terms from 2004 to 2013, running as a member of the ruling party Lakas–CMD in 2004 and 2007, and switching to the Liberal Party (which also became the ruling party after President Benigno Aquino III's victory) in 2009.^[3]

In January 2013, complaints for plunder and malversation of public funds were filed against Braganza before the Ombudsman, which he denied stating that the 15 current and former barangay officials serving as complainants only requested an investigation on the matter.^[4]^[5]

2013 gubernatorial campaign

Braganza launched a bid for the governorship of Pangasinan in 2013 against incumbent Amado Espino Jr., but lost, receiving 25% of the vote. He was notably supported by former president Fidel V. Ramos, while sister Leticia supported Espino.^[6]

2025 congressional campaign

Braganza founded and became the first nominee of the Aksyon Dapat party-list in the 2025 House elections, but it placed 123rd, failing to win a seat.^[7]

Television hosting

As of 2026, Braganza serves as a co-anchor on the Bilyonaryo News Channel program The Spokes, alongside former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

Electoral history

Electoral history of Hernani Braganza
Year	Office	Party		Votes received				Result
Year	Office	Party		Total	%	P.	Swing	Result
1995	Representative (Pangasinan–1st)		Independent	35,150	34.97%	1st	N/a	Won
1998	Representative (Pangasinan–1st)		Lakas	108,604	100.00%	1st	+65.03	Unopposed
2004	Mayor of Alaminos, Pangasinan			N/a	N/a	1st	N/a	Won
2007				N/a	N/a	1st	N/a	Won
2010			Liberal	19,158	N/a	1st	N/a	Won
2013	Governor of Pangasinan		Liberal	297,409	25.88%	2nd	N/a	Lost
2025	Representative (Party-list)		Aksyon Dapat	58,916	0.15	123rd	N/a	Lost

References

↑ "Roster of Philippine Legislators (1907–2019)" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
1 2 "Government Peace Negotiating Panel on the talks with CPP/NPA/NDF". Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
↑ Dedace, Sophia (2009-11-08). "'Sensing' defeat in 2010 polls, allies leave Arroyo's party". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
↑ Torres, Tetch (2013-01-11). "Alaminos City mayor faces complaint of alleged misuse of funds before Ombudsman". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
↑ Visperas, Eva (2013-01-17). "Braganza: No plunder case, just request for investigation". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
↑ "Fidel Ramos, sis take opposite sides in race for gov in Pangasinan". INQUIRER.net. 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
↑ Serquiña, Mariel Celine (2024-10-08). "Ex-Agrarian Reform Sec. Hernani Braganza is Aksyon Dapat Partylist first nominee". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[1] "Roster of Philippine Legislators (1907–2019)" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[:0-2] 1 2 "Government Peace Negotiating Panel on the talks with CPP/NPA/NDF". Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[3] Dedace, Sophia (2009-11-08). "'Sensing' defeat in 2010 polls, allies leave Arroyo's party". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[4] Torres, Tetch (2013-01-11). "Alaminos City mayor faces complaint of alleged misuse of funds before Ombudsman". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[5] Visperas, Eva (2013-01-17). "Braganza: No plunder case, just request for investigation". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[6] "Fidel Ramos, sis take opposite sides in race for gov in Pangasinan". INQUIRER.net. 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

[7] Serquiña, Mariel Celine (2024-10-08). "Ex-Agrarian Reform Sec. Hernani Braganza is Aksyon Dapat Partylist first nominee". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2026-06-29.

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Cabinet of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001–2010)
Vice-President	Teofisto Guingona Jr. (2001–2004) Noli de Castro (2004–2010)
Secretary of Agrarian Reform	Horacio Morales (2001) Hernani Braganza (2001–2003) Roberto Pagdanganan (2003–2004) Jose Maria Ponce (2004) Rene Villa (2004–2005) Nasser C. Pangandaman (2005–2010)
Secretary of Agriculture	Domingo F. Panganiban (2001) Leonardo Montemayor (2001–2002) Luis Lorenzo, Jr. (2002–2004) Arthur C. Yap (2004–2005) Domingo F. Panganiban (2005–2006) Arthur C. Yap (2006–2010)
Secretary of Budget and Management	Emilia Boncodin (2001–2005) Romulo Neri (2005–2006) Rolando Andaya Jr. (2006–2010)
Secretary of Education	Raul Roco (2001–2002) Edilberto de Jesus (2002–2004) Florencio Abad (2004–2005) Ramon Bacani (2005) Fe Hidalgo (2005–2006) Jesli Lapus (2006–2010) Mona Valisno (2010)
Secretary of Energy	Jose Isidro Camacho (2001) Vincent S. Perez (2001–2005) Raphael Lotilla (2005–2007) Angelo Reyes (2007–2010) Jose Ibazeta (2010)
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources	Heherson Alvarez (2001–2003) Eliza Gozun (2003–2004) Mike Defensor (2004–2006) Angelo Reyes (2006–2007) Jose L. Atienza Jr. (2007–2009) Horacio Ramos (2009–2010)
Secretary of Finance	Jose Pardo (2001) Alberto Romulo (2001) Jose Isidro Camacho (2001–2003) Juanita Amatong (2003–2005) Cesar Purisima (2005) Margarito Teves (2005–2010)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs	Teofisto Guingona, Jr. (acting capacity; (2001–2002)) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (acting capacity; 2002) Blas Ople (2002–2003) Franklin Ebadlin (2003) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (acting capacity; 2003) Delia Albert (2003–2004) Alberto Romulo (2004–2010)
Secretary of Health	Manuel Dayrit (2001–2005) Francisco T. Duque III (2005–2009) Esperanza Cabral (2009–2010)
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government	Jose Lina, Jr. (2001–2004) Angelo Reyes (2004–2006) Ronaldo V. Puno (2006–2010)
Secretary of Justice	Artemio Tuquero (2001) Hernando Perez (2001–2002) Merceditas Gutierrez (2002–2003) Simeon Datumanong (2003) Merceditas Gutierrez (2003–2004) Raul Gonzales (2004–2009) Agnes Devanadera (2009–2010) Alberto Agra (2010)
Secretary of Labor and Employment	Patricia Santo Tomas (2001–2006) Arturo Brion (2006–2008) Marianito D. Roque (2008–2010)
Secretary of National Defense	Orlando Mercado (2001) Angelo Reyes (2001–2003) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (acting capacity; 2003) Eduardo Ermita (2003–2004) Avelino Cruz, Jr. (2004–2006) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (acting capacity; (2006–2007)) Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (2007) Norberto Gonzales (2007) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. 2007–2009 Norberto Gonzales (2009–2010)
Secretary of Pubilc Works and Highways	Simeon Datumanong (2001–2003) Bayani Fernando (2003) Florante Soriquez (2003–2005) Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (2005–2007) Manuel Bonoan (2007) Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (2007–2009) Victor Domingo (2009–2010)
Secretary of Science and Technology	Estrella F. Alabastro (2001–2010)
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development	Corazon Soliman (2001–2005) Esperanza Cabral (2005–2009) Celia Yangco (2009–2010)
Secretary of Tourism	Richard Gordon (2001–2004) Robert Dean Barbers (2004) Roberto M. Pagdanganan (2004–2005) Joseph Ace H. Durano (2005–2010)
Secretary of Trade and Industry	Manuel Roxas II (2001–2003) Cesar Purisima (2004–2005) Juan Santos (2005) Peter B. Favila (2005–2010) Jesli Lapus (2010)
Secretary of Transportation and Communications	Pantaleon Alvarez (2001–2002) Leandro Mendoza (2002–2010) Anneli Lontoc (2010)
Executive Secretary	Renato de Villa (2001) Alberto Romulo (2001–2004) Eduardo Ermita (2004–2010) Leandro Mendoza (2010)
Presidential Spokesperson	Elena Bautista-Horn (2001–2010)
Press Secretary	Jesus Dureza (2001-2010)
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education	Carlito Puno (2001–2007) Romulo Neri (2007–2008) Emmanuel Angeles (2008–2010)
Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority	Dante Canlas (2001–2002) Romulo Neri (2002–2005) Augusto Santos (2005–2006) Romulo Neri (2006–2007) Augusto Santos (2007–2008) Ralph Recto (2008–2009) Augusto Santos (2009–2010)
Solicitor General	Simeon V. Marcelo (2001–2002) Carlos N. Ortega (2002) Alfredo Benipayo (2002–2006) Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura (2006–2007) Agnes Devanadera (2007–2010) Alberto Agra (2010)
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority	Benjamin Abalos (2001–2002) Bayani Fernando (2002–2009) Oscar Inocentes (2009–2010)
National Security Adviser	Norberto Gonzales (2001–2010)