Leandro Ramos Mendoza (March 17, 1946 –October 7, 2013) was a Filipino politician who rose to become the Philippine Executive Secretary.

Leandro Mendoza

 Philippine Executive Secretary

 In office 

February 23, 2010 – June 30, 2010 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Preceded by Eduardo Ermita Succeeded by Paquito Ochoa Jr. Philippine Secretary of Transportation and Communications 

In office July 3, 2002 – February 23, 2010 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Preceded by Pantaleon Alvarez Succeeded by Anneli R. Lontoc (Acting) Director General Philippine National Police 

In office 2001–2002 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Preceded by Panfilo Lacson Succeeded by Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. 

Personal details

Born Leandro Ramos Mendoza March 17, 1946 San Juan, Batangas 

Died October 7, 2013 (aged 67) San Juan, 

Batangas Alma mater Philippine Military Academy 

Profession Police Religion Roman Catholicism

Mendoza was born in San Juan, Batangas. He finished his Bachelor of Science degree at the Philippine Military Academy; his Master of Arts in Public Management at the University of the Philippines - Visayas, Cebu City; and General Staff Course at the AFPCGSC, Fort Bonifacio.

Secretary Mendoza was a professional police officer, a noted management practitioner and an inspiring leader. His various professional experiences from his stint as a second lieutenant in the regular force of the Philippine Constabulary up until his appointment as Executive Director of the Philippines Center on Transnational Crime have prepared him to assume the role of the top law enforcer in the country. He was promoted to the rank of Police Director General of the Philippine National Police on 16 Mar 2001. On July 3, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Leandro R. Mendoza as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Secretary Mendoza is married to former Soledad Latorre of Lambunao, Iloilo: they have three sons and three daughters namely Maria Leah, Michael, Mark Llandro, Maria Leilani, Matthew and Maria Leanne.

FAA downgrade

On January 17, 2008, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded thePhilippines' rating to Category 2 from Category 1, since its Air Transportation Office (Philippines) (ATO) did not follow international safety standards. Consequently,Philippine Airlines (PAL) president Jaime Bautista stated that its 2008 growth targets would be lowered. Just out of 8 years receivership last year, the FAA decision prevents PAL from increasing US flights from 33 per week, inter alia. Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dismissed acting Air Transportation Office chief Danilo Dimagiba after the said FAA rating downgrade on the Philippine aviation industry (after it "failed to comply with the aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): outdated aviation regulations, poor training programs for safety inspectors and sub-standard licensing for air frame and engine inspectors"). She designated DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] Secretary Leandro Mendoza as concurrent Officer in Charge of ATO." Also, the Embassy of the United States in Manila warned US citizens in the Philippines "to refrain from using Philippine-based carriers due to "serious concerns" about the ATO's alleged mishandling of the aviation industry." Dimagiba blamed lack of funds for the FAA downgrade, alleging that ATO nees P 1 billion ($ 1= P40).