Cornelio Villareal
Encyclopedia
Cornelio T. Villareal was a Filipino
politician
who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
from 1962 to 1967, and again from 1971 to 1972. Popularly known as Kune, his congressional career representing the Second District of Capiz spanned six decades.
. He finished his intermediate and secondary education in Capiz
, and enrolled at the Silliman University
for his pre-law course. In 1929, he received his law degree from the Philippine Law School and passed the bar exams later that year.
, and served continuously until 1972. In 1951, Villareal unsuccessfully sought election to the Philippine Senate
, for the seat vacated by Fernando Lopez
upon the latter's election as Vice-President.
Villareal was first elected Speaker of the House of Representatives
during the 5th Congress
, in March 1962. During the 6th Congress
, he was unseated as speaker in 1967 by Jose Laurel, Jr.
of the Nacionalista Party. Villareal regained the Speakership from Laurel, Jr. during the 7th Congress
in 1971, and served in that capacity until Congress was abolished upon the declaration of martial law by President
Ferdinand Marcos
in September 1972.
Villareal withdrew from politics until Congress was restored following the ouster of Marcos. At age 83, he was again elected to his congressional seat in the Second District of Capiz in 1987. He was the oldest member of the 8th Congress
, while his colleague from Capiz, Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr., was the youngest member of Congress. Ironically, Roxas would outlive Villareal only by a few months.
Villareal did not seek re-election following the expiration of his term in June 1992. He died six months later, aged 88.
During his congressional career, Villareal advocated liberal economic and trade policies such as decontrol and decentralization.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines is the presiding officer of the lower house of Congress, the House of Representatives....
from 1962 to 1967, and again from 1971 to 1972. Popularly known as Kune, his congressional career representing the Second District of Capiz spanned six decades.
Early life
Villareal was born in Mambusao, CapizMambusao, Capiz
Mambusao is a 1st class municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 36,793 people in 7,421 households. Mambusao is the home of the Villareals, the most famous of whom is Speaker Cornelio "Agurang Coni" Villareal and Governor Cornelio...
. He finished his intermediate and secondary education in Capiz
Capiz
Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
, and enrolled at the Silliman University
Silliman University
Silliman University is a private research university located in Dumaguete, Philippines. Established in 1901 as Silliman Institute by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, it was the first American private school to be founded in the country. The University is named after Dr...
for his pre-law course. In 1929, he received his law degree from the Philippine Law School and passed the bar exams later that year.
Political career
Villareal's political career began in 1934, when he was elected as a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention. In 1941, Villareal won his first election as a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the Second District of Capiz. His term was interrupted by the Japanese invasion in late 1941, but he reassumed his seat in 1945 He was re-elected in 1946 under the banner of the Liberal PartyLiberal Party (Philippines)
The Liberal Party of the Philippines is a liberal party in the Philippines, founded by then senators Senate President Manuel Roxas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Elpidio Quirino, and former 9th Senatorial District Senator Jose Avelino, on November 24, 1945 by a breakaway Liberal group from the...
, and served continuously until 1972. In 1951, Villareal unsuccessfully sought election to the Philippine Senate
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
, for the seat vacated by Fernando Lopez
Fernando Lopez
Fernando López,Sr. was a Filipino statesman. A member of the influential López Family of Iloilo, Fernando López served as Vice President for three terms, under President Elpidio Quirino for the Liberals and Ferdinand Marcos for the Nacionalistas.-Early life and career:López was born on April 13,...
upon the latter's election as Vice-President.
Villareal was first elected Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines is the presiding officer of the lower house of Congress, the House of Representatives....
during the 5th Congress
5th Congress of the Philippines
The Fifth Congress of the Philippines was the meeting of the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives from January 22, 1962 until December 17, 1965.-Sessions:*First Regular Session: January 22 – May 17, 1962*Second Regular...
, in March 1962. During the 6th Congress
6th Congress of the Philippines
The Sixth Congress of the Philippines was the meeting of the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives from January 17, 1966 until June 17, 1969.-Sessions:**First Special Session: January 17 – January 22, 1966*First Regular...
, he was unseated as speaker in 1967 by Jose Laurel, Jr.
Jose Laurel, Jr.
José Bayani "Pepito" Laurel, Jr. , also known as José B. Laurel, Jr., was a Filipino politician who was elected twice as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines...
of the Nacionalista Party. Villareal regained the Speakership from Laurel, Jr. during the 7th Congress
7th Congress of the Philippines
The Seventh Congress of the Philippines was the meeting of the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives from January 26, 1970 until it was effectively dissolved with the declaration of martial law on September 23, 1972 by...
in 1971, and served in that capacity until Congress was abolished upon the declaration of martial law by President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
in September 1972.
Villareal withdrew from politics until Congress was restored following the ouster of Marcos. At age 83, he was again elected to his congressional seat in the Second District of Capiz in 1987. He was the oldest member of the 8th Congress
8th Congress of the Philippines
The Eighth Congress of the Philippines is the meeting of the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives after the ratification of the Constitution of the Philippines in 1987.-Sessions:**First Special Session: July 14...
, while his colleague from Capiz, Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr., was the youngest member of Congress. Ironically, Roxas would outlive Villareal only by a few months.
Villareal did not seek re-election following the expiration of his term in June 1992. He died six months later, aged 88.
During his congressional career, Villareal advocated liberal economic and trade policies such as decontrol and decentralization.