Orlando S. Mercado

Orlando Sanchez Mercado (born April 26, 1946), also known as Orly Mercado, is a politician from the Philippines. Mercado was a senator for two terms (1987–1992 and 1992–1998) and the head and anchor the popular radio program Radyo Patrol of ABS-CBN from 1969 to 1971. He was charged for subversion under Republic Act 1700 (Anti-Subversion Law) and was detained in Fort Bonifacio upon President Marcos' declaration of Martial Law. He returned to broadcasting and started teaching upon his release after nine and a half months. Since 1975, he has been the producer and host of GMA Network's Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko (I Love My Fellowmen), the pioneer television program in public service in the Philippines. In 1998, he was appointed Secretary of National Defense by President Joseph Estrada. On January 19, 2001, together with the Chief of Staff and all of the commanding generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military establishment withdrew its support for President Estrada who was then facing impeachment for plunder and corruption. Their appearance before a throng of protesters at the EDSA Shrine was the culmination of what was to be known as EDSA People Power II (2001 EDSA Revolution), which ousted President Estrada from office. Mercado was reappointed Secretary of Defense by incoming President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but resigned the post in protest of the designation of a former Chief of Staff as National Security Adviser who was also the subject of Mercado's anti-corruption campaign in the Department of National Defense.