Ernesto S. Mata

Ernesto S. Mata (November 7, 1915 – March 7, 2012) was a Filipino General and the 15th Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines, serving in that capacity from 21 January 1967 to 3 February 1970.

Mata was also a former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, the only retired officer to be recalled to active duty to occupy this position. In February 2012, just before his death, he was acknowledged to be the only known living graduate of the Philippine Constabulary Academy, He served without receiving a salary, relying only on his pension as a retired general. He was able to collect his accumulated salary as Defense Secretary in September 1972, more than two years after he relinquished the post.