Jonathan Tan (politician)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dioso and the surname or paternal family name is Tan.

Jonathan Dioso Tan is a Filipino politician and businessman who served as mayor of Pandan, Antique from 2010 to 2019.^[1] He was appointed on April 28, 2023 as the Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).^[2] As SBMA Chairman and Administrator, he accomplished a major milestone to bolster the national coffers as SBMA ranked as one of the top dividend contributors in 2023. On January 12, 2024, Malacañang announced the promotion to national level of Tan as Undersecretary of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Honorable Jonathan Dioso Tan
Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
In office January 12, 2024 – October 2024
Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
In office April 28, 2023 – January 12, 2024
President	Bongbong Marcos
Preceded by	Rolen C. Paulino Sr.
Succeeded by	Eduardo Aliño
Mayor of Pandan, Antique
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Vice Mayor	Louie Lomugdang (2010–2016) Dr. Renato Tugon (2016–2019)
Preceded by	Plaridel Sanchez VI
Succeeded by	Plaridel Sanchez VI
Personal details
Born	Jonathan Dioso Tan (1976-08-12) August 12, 1976 (age 49) Manila, Philippines
Political party	Independent (2024–present)
Other political affiliations	Nacionalista (2018–2024) Liberal (2009–2018)
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University (MPM) University of Santo Tomas (BSIE)
Occupation	politician, businessman

He was one of the Philippines' Most Outstanding Mayors in 2012 together with city Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila, Benjie Lim of Dagupan, Meynardo Sabili of Lipa, Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles, Jennifer Austria-Barzaga of Dasmariñas, and Len Alonte-Naguiat of Biñan. He was the only municipal mayor who bagged the award on that year.^[3]

He served as President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Antique and elected as PRO of LMP-National from 2013 to 2016. He was also the Secretary of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Biodiversity and Conservation Council.^[4]

Accomplishments

One of his major accomplishments was making Pandan a recipient of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, an anti-poverty project of DSWD. Mayor Tan's initiative to source out funds from Senators paved the way for more development projects in the municipality. His trademark, JDT, aside from it as an abbreviation of his name, stands for Jobs, Development and Tourism. He managed to enhance the tourism industry in the town as Pandan was included in the 77 Tourism Development areas identified by DOT. It benefited not just the town itself, but also other Eco-tourism destinations in Northern Antique.^[5]

Speedboat incident

On March 29, 2018, during the culmination of Semana Santa (Holy Week), a speedboat capsized near the coastal waters of Sebaste, a neighboring town of Pandan. According to reports from the Philippine Coast Guard, Tan was with two other people, when the boat capsized around five kilometers away from the coast of Sebaste. They were rescued after four hours at sea. Tan and his companion swam to the shoreline for half an hour and reached it 1:45 p.m.^[6][7]

Among the others rescued were actresses Bianca Manalo and Ehra Madrigal, as well as Madrigal’s husband. One other occupant died due to stroke and drowning.^[8][9][10]

Controversy

On April 4, 2025, a complaint was filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against Tan for violation of paragraphs (a), (d), (e)(2), (g), and (i), Section 5 of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. The identity of the complainant was withheld. ^[11]