Salvador Medialdea

Salvador "Bingbong" Campo Medialdea (born October 14, 1951) is a Filipino lawyer and former government official. He served as the executive secretary from 2016 to 2022 in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. He previously served as Presidential Assistant for Political Affairs and president of the National Livelihood Development Corporation under President Joseph Estrada.

In March 2025, Medialdea served as Duterte's counsel during the latter's arrest and subsequent pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Early life and education Medialdea is the son of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Leo D. Medialdea who served from 1988 to 1992 under President Corazon Aquino. Medialdea spent his early years in Davao City, where he was a childhood friend of President Rodrigo Duterte. He attended the Light Bringer School in the city before moving back to Manila to finish high school at Paco Catholic School. He received his BS Commerce Major in Management from Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1972 and his law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1976. He passed the bar exams the following year.

Career

Medialdea began his legal career as a senior associate at ACCRA Law Offices. He then worked as a partner at Pecabar Law Offices, the law firm of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Rene Cayetano, before becoming a managing partner at Medialdea Ata Bello Guevarra Suarez Law Firm (MABGS).

Medialdea still serves as partner at the MABGS law firm, whose clients include President Duterte. He is also director for Manchester International Holdings and Accette Insurance. He also served briefly as bar examiner for the Supreme Court in 2006.

Medialdea (left) accompanying Duterte on board a plane to The Hague for Duterte's trial. A close ally of Duterte, Medialdea was among the few people who accompanied the former president when he was arrested by police authorities in March 2025 based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing Duterte of crimes against humanity. On March 14, 2025, he acted as Duterte's lawyer at the first appearance in front of the Pre-Trial Chamber. On March 18, Medialdea was hospitalized after visiting Duterte in detention. The next day, it was announced that he would withdraw from Duterte's legal team, citing limited slots.

Personal life Medialdea is married to Maria Bertola "Betty" Dizon, a lawyer and head of an insurance company, with whom he has one son. His family has roots in Davao City, Aklan, and Ilocos Region. Outside of work, he enjoys playing piano and classical music. He was one of the producers of Miss Saigon in Manila in 2000 and formally closed the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.