Jerico  Bustamante, also known as “echo” to his friends and kin was born of Edwin Enriquez Bustamante and Ma. Violeta Caballes Natividad, in January 17, 1983. He started as a student leader back in high school and college where he demonstrated his leadership skills through the student government and the schools’ local publication. After schooling, he joined Kasanyangan-Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (KFI) as its Policy Advocacy Director. KFI, is an NGO dedicated to assisting the poor families, farmers and marginalized youth by helping them come up with their own small and medium enterprises. Jerico also became Secretary General of Task Force Siembrada, a local environmental group. As an environmentalist, he is instrumental in the drafting of 2 pro-environment ordinances in partnership with District 2 Councilor Atty. Kim Elago: 1)The Celebration of the Dia de Siembrada and 2)The Protection of the Century-Old Trees. Furthermore, having 2 major advocacies, he accepted the invitation to co-host a radio program at RMN dubbed Que Tal Zamboanga-The Youth and Environment Edition. Presently, Jerico continues to serve as the youngest Kagawad in Barangay Divisoria and at the same time an NGO worker dedicated to helping the poor families of Zamboanga City develop an alternative livelihood.

Educational Background

• Elementary- Divisoria Elementary School (with Honors)
• High School- Regional Science High School; (Leadership and Service Awardee)
• College-Ateneo De Zamboanga University (BS-Management Accounting with units in Professional Education and AB-English)
• Post-Graduate-Western Mindanao State Univ. (Masters in Public Administration)
• Module in Theology- International School of Ministry (ISOM)

Priority Agenda

• Core Youth Agenda- Increase of Student Social Privileges (10% Discount), Added Scholarship Grants, Address Concerns of Various Youth Sectors, Ladderized Employment Program, Job Security and Creation
• Environment- Watershed Protection and Development, Promotion of Renewal Energy
• Health- Improvement of Facilities in the City’s Public Hospital
• Education- Increase Appropriation in the City Government Budget, Extension of Public College/s in East and West Coast
• Pro-Poor Economic Policies- Incentives and Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), Incentives and Support for Local Producers of Agricultural Products, Promote and Support Micro-Entrepreneurship
• Peace and Order- Advocate for the installation of CCTV Cameras,  Respect and Promote Human Rights, Promote a Sustainable Dialogue between the Tri-People of Zamboanga

Testimonies of Friends

“I have seen in Jerico the  passion and dedication for public service. I believe that he can serve well the people of Zamboanga City.”

-Gilbert Remulla
Sec. Gen. Nationalista Party

“Jerico Bustamante has consistently excelled in his field as a leader. He carries with him the fervor of CIBAC’s (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) advocacies, among others anti-corruption, and efficient and effective governance. We need such man of integrity and competence to occupy public offices. I am confident that Jerico Bustamante is one man that Zamboangeños should give a chance to serve them.”

-Cong. Joel Villanueva
Representative, CIBAC Party-List
Minority Leader, Commission on Appointments

“I see in Jerico the commitment of addressing the problems of  the Tri-People of Mindanao. We need such people in public office.”
-Cong. Mujiv Hataman
Anak Mindanao Party-List  


“He understands the plight of the youth and the ordinary students. In our present time, I strongly believe that he can best represent our sector, the youth.”
-Joseph Van T. Bue-President
WMSU Student Gov’t  

Track Record

• Youngest  Kagawad in Barangay Divisoria
  Chairman, Fuerza Jovenes de Zamboanga
  Anchorman, Quetal  Zambo na RMN
  Sec. General, Task Force Siembrada
  Policy Advocay Officer, KFI
  City Director, Bangon Kabataan
  President, Alliance Youth Philippines
  Manager, Destiny Production & Advertising
  City Coordinator, Change Politics Movement
  Member, JCI-Zamboanga
  Secretary, Lion’s Club International
  Chairman, The Leadership Academy-Zamboanga
  Member, Independent Press of Zamboanga
  Member, National Peoples Coalition (NPC)