Ricardo David

Ricardo A. David, Jr is a former Chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces. He was the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief. On June 30, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III picked David as his AFP chief. On July 2, 2010, Ricardo David assumes the command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from Lt Gen. Nestor Z Ochoa. He currently serves as the Undersecretary for Defense Policy of the Department of National Defense.

Background
He was born in 1955 in San Fernando, Pampanga, but spent most of his childhood in Victoria, Tarlac.

He took up his primary education in Dolores Elementary School of Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga and he graduated at the top of his class in 1967. He graduated from Victoria High School in Tarlac as the Salutatorian of his class in 1971. Upon graduating high school, he took up undergraduate studies in engineering at St. Louis University in Baguio City on a full scholarship program. After a couple of years of studies, he traded one scholarship program for another when he took his Oath as a Cadet of the Philippine Military Academy on April 1, 1973; He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy on March 1, 1977.

Military career
He was the Commanding Officer of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division from December 1996 to April 1998. He also became the Commanding General of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division from March 2005 to December 2006. This was followed by his assignment to the AFP Command Center until August 2007. Afterwards, he commanded the Army Support Command until April 2008, then the 4th Infantry Division until June 2009 and from there to the AFP Northern Luzon Command up to the time he became the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 2, 2010.

Awards

 * Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.png Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
 * PHL Martial Law Unit Citation.png Martial Law Unit Citation
 * PHL People Power I Unit Citation.png People Power I Unit Citation
 * PHL People Power II Unit Citation.png People Power II Unit Citation
 * PHL Distinguished Service Star BAR.svg Distinguished Service Stars
 * PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Officer BAR.svg PHL Legion of Honor - Chief Commander BAR.png- Philippine Legion of Honor, Degree of Officer & Chief Commander
 * PHL Outstanding Achievement Medal.PNG Outstanding Achievement Medal
 * PHL Gawad Sa Kaunlaran.gif Gawad sa Kaunlaran
 * PHL Bronze Cross.gif Bronze Cross Medals
 * PHL_Military_Merit_Medal.gif Military Merit Medals
 * PHL Silver Wing Medal ribbon bar.png Silver Wing Medal
 * PHL Military Commendation.gif Military Commendation Medals
 * PHL Military Civic Action Medal.gif Military Civic Action Medals
 * PHL Sagisag Ulirang Kawal.gif Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal
 * AFP Long Service Medal.gif Long Service Medal
 * Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Luzon Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
 * Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon.gif Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon
 * Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge.png Combat Commander's Badge
 * AFP Parachutist Badge.png AFP Parachutist Badge
 * Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course Badge.png Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course Badge
 * PAF Gold Wings Badge

AFP Chief of staff
In Gen. David's change-of-command ceremony speech, David reminded his soldiers to keep the military as a "disciplined institution."

He said: "We shall continue to be a responsible instrument of public policy, subservient to civilian authority,"

Family
He is married to Merilou Malacay of Cagayan de Oro City and they have two sons, Russel David and Rommel David.