Cornelio Tupaz Villareal (September 11, 1904 – December 22, 1992) was a
Filipino lawyer and
politician
A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...
who served as
Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
The speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines (), more popularly known as the House speaker, is the presiding officer and the highest-ranking official of the lower house of Congress, the House of Representatives, as well as t ...
from 1962 to 1967, and again from 1971 to 1972. Popularly known as Kune, his congressional career representing the
Second District of
Capiz
Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
spanned six decades.
Early life
Villareal was born in
Mambusao, Capiz
Mambusao, officially the Municipality of Mambusao ( Capiznon/ Hiligaynon: ''Banwa sang Mambusao''; ), is a municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,690 people.
It is from Roxas ...
. He finished his intermediate and secondary education in
Capiz
Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
, 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 on December 7, 1929.
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
Capiz (), officially the Province of Capiz (Capiznon language, Capiznon/Hiligaynon language, Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the central part of the Western Visayas Regions of the Philippines ...
. Due to the Japanese invasion in late 1941, he did not assume office until 1945.
[Paras & La Vina, p. 116] He was re-elected in 1946 under the banner of the
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world.
The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...
, and served continuously until 1972. In 1951, Villareal unsuccessfully sought election to the
Philippine Senate
The Senate of the Philippines () is the upper house of Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the House of Representatives as the lower house. The Senate is composed of 24 senators who are elected at-large (the country f ...
, for the seat vacated by
Fernando Lopez upon the latter's election as
Vice-President
A vice president or vice-president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vi ...
.
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
The Nacionalista Party (Filipino language, Filipino and Spanish language in the Philippines, Spanish: ''Partido Nacionalista''; , NP) is a political party in the Philippines which is the oldest existing party in the country and in Southeast Asi ...
. 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
Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...
by
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film and television
*'' Præsident ...
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, dictator, and Kleptocracy, kleptocrat who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled the c ...
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.
Death
Villareal died on December 22, 1992, almost six months after stepping down from Congress, aged 88.
During his congressional career, Villareal advocated liberal economic and trade policies such as decontrol and decentralization.
[Paras & La Vina, p. 116-117]
Notes
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Villareal, Cornelio T.
1904 births
1992 deaths
Politicians from Capiz
Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Capiz
Silliman University alumni
Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
20th-century Filipino lawyers
Minority leaders of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Philippine Law School alumni
Presidents of the Liberal Party of the Philippines
Visayan people
Filipino anti-communists