A young gentleman from a family with business interest in Sugar, Agricultural and Livestock, brokerage born with “silver spoon” so to speak, and undoubtedly has more than enough, yet had chosen to be in the military service and from his words “in Negros, when you are in the military service, people tend to look down on you.” However, they were proven wrong, the gentleman and the officer stood his ground and rose from the ranks, from being a US Air Borne soldier, further pursuing his studies and presently still energetic and productive doing what he love most-hard work and service to his fellow veterans. Col. Emmanuel V. De Ocampo (Ret.), a graduate of Mechanical Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology, further pursuing Banking and Finance, has remained at the helm of two (2) successful entities- the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) - actively caring and fighting for the rights and privileges of the veterans serving as its President since 1985 without any compensation and the Veterans Bank as the Chairman of Board and presently re-elected handling the same title. When asked the reason of him being re-elected, his reply was “they don’t want me to go.” Believable indeed! From a bankrupt entity to one of the top banks in the Philippines and still aiming for a higher position in the banking industry
He spearheaded the rehabilitation of the Veterans Bank and with the help of Sen. Alberto Romulo and Cong. Pilapil, Gen Ernesto Gidaya, Undersecretary Quisumbing and Atty. Romeo Roxas who made the legal study and even accepted a “no cure, no pay” arrangement. The strong and powerful forces and resistance from some of the members of the committee in the Executive Department did not discourage his determination to pursue the mission to rehabilitate a “bankrupt” bank, until finally in January 2, 1992, President Cory Aquino signed into law the much awaited Republic Act 7169- AN ACT TO REHABILITATE THE PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK CREATED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3518. PROVIDING THE MECHANISMS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES A successful businessman, banker, broker and a well- respected leader of the Philippine Veterans rolled into one. With humility, he mentioned that he was an instrument in establishing a broker company of what is now known as Delgado Bros. Certainly he could have rested on his laurels, but, all these achievements made him crave for more. At the age of over 80 years old, you can still see him up and about working hard and shall continue to do so in the fulfillment of his dream to give the respect and the rightful compensation to the “now” veterans both here and of their claims from the United States.