Celestino Lazala Rodriguez (May 11, 1872 – 1955) was a Filipino lawyer and politician from Cebu, Philippines. He served as member and deputy in the Philippine Assembly (1907–1912), as

senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

(1916–1922), member of the 1st National Assembly (1935–1938), and 1st Congress of the Commonwealth in 1945.

Early life

Celestino Rodriguez born to parents Jose Rodriguez and Vicenta Lazala in Bogo, Cebu on May 11, 1872, coming from a wealthy Bogo family with extensive landholdings in the northern sugar-belt towns of the province. He married Ignacia La Sala and had four children. At Ateneo de Manila, he acquired a bachelor's degree in 1892 and a law degree from the La Universidad Central de Madrid in 1900.

Career

Passing the bar and becoming a lawyer in 1902, Rodriguez practiced law as profession. In 1904, Rodriguez first became the municipal president of Cebu. In 1907, he was elected to the Philippine Assembly as member of the

1st Philippine Legislature The First Philippine Legislature was the first session of the Philippine Legislature, the first representative legislature of the Philippines. Then known as the Philippine Islands, the Philippines under the sovereign control of the United States ...

representing Cebu's 1st district, then was reelected for the

2nd Philippine Legislature The Second Philippine Legislature was the meeting of the legislature of the Philippines under the sovereign control of the United States from March 28, 1910 to February 6, 1912. Sessions **''First Special Session'': March 28 – April 19, 1910 ...

in 1910 until 1912, and would become deputy. The Philippine Assembly was organized to pave the way for independence from the American rule. He became the first representative of the old first district of Cebu, which included the towns of Bogo, Borbon, Catmon, Danao, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, Tabogon, and

Tudela Tudela may refer to: *Tudela, Navarre, a town and municipality in northern Spain ** Benjamin of Tudela Medieval Jewish traveller ** William of Tudela, Medieval troubadour who wrote the first part of the ''Song of the Albigensian Crusade'' ** Battl ...

. Later, Rodriguez was elected senator and served in the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Legislatures, from 1916 until 1925. At the time, the country was divided into 12 senatorial districts, with each district voting two senators; Rodriguez represented Cebu, which was the 10th district. Rodriguez was voted as a member of the 1st National Assembly, representing Cebu's first district, from 1935 to 1938. He then served in the 1st Congress of the Commonwealth after the war in 1945.

Historical commemoration

* Named Waling Waling Street previously and located within the Capitol compound, the Don Celestino Rodriguez Street was named in his honor by virtue of City Ordinance No. 635.

References

20th-century Filipino lawyers Ateneo de Manila University alumni People from Bogo, Cebu Senators of the 4th Philippine Legislature Senators of the 6th Philippine Legislature 1872 births Filipino city and municipal councilors Members of the Philippine Legislature Senators of the 5th Philippine Legislature Members of the National Assembly of the Philippines {{DEFAULTSORT:Rodriguez, Celestino 1955 deaths Year of death missing