President Marcos has appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 1 director Joseph Francisco "Jeff" Ortega as the new chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC), replacing Duterte Youth leader Ronald Cardema.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos is confident that under Ortega’s leadership, "the NYC will continue to be a vital force in shaping the future of the nation, inspiring young Filipinos to take on leadership roles and make meaningful contributions to society."

"With a distinguished background in tourism and youth advocacy, Ortega is well-positioned to lead the NYC in its mission to develop and implement policies that will further the welfare and development of young Filipinos across the country," the PCO said on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Ortega's appointment is part of the administration's commitment to empowering the Filipino youth and ensuring their voices are represented at the highest levels of government.

The new NYC chairperson is the brother of former La Union governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III. He is also the boyfriend of actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

Presidential son and Ilocos Norte representative Sandro Marcos was among the first people to congratulate Ortega on his new post.

"I know you'll do great things," he wrote in an Instagram story on Thursday night.

Prior to his appointment, Ortega served as the regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 1 since 2019, where he spearheaded numerous initiatives to boost regional tourism and promote sustainable development. He was the youngest to be appointed to the position.

Ortega, who drew flak in 2020 for introducing Marcos as vice president at an event, graduated with a political science degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 2013. He obtained his Master of Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business last year.

Ortega replaced Duterte Youth Partylist Chairman Cardema who was first appointed to the post in 2018. He left NYC to run for the House of Representatives but was blocked by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from taking a seat. He returned to the NYC in 2020.  

Meanwhile, Marcos also named Karl Josef Legazpi, a director at the House of Representatives, as the second commissioner-at-large of the NYC.  

Early this month, the President appointed Michelle Mae Gonzales as NYC commissioner-at-large.

Established in 1995, the National Youth Commission is responsible for policy formulation on and reviewing youth promotion and development programs.

It is tasked to establish a consultative mechanism for dialogue with the youth, and linking them with government and local and international nongovernment organizations to develop their full potential as partners in nation-building.