Antonio Villegas

Antonio J. Villegas

Antonio J. Villegas, Mayor of Manila, taken in 1970
16th Mayor of Manila
In office
April 15, 1962 – December 31, 1971
Preceded by Arsenio Lacson
Succeeded by Ramon Bagatsing
Vice Mayor of Manila
In office
December 30, 1959 – April 15, 1962
Preceded by Jesus Marcos Roces
Succeeded by Herminio A. Astorga
Personal details
Born (1928-01-09)January 9, 1928
Tondo, Manila, Philippine Islands
Died November 16, 1984(1984-11-16) (aged 56)
Reno, Nevada, United States
Resting place Manila North Cemetery, Manila, Philippines

Antonio de Jesus Villegas (January 9, 1928 – November 16, 1984) was a Filipino Mayor of Manila from 1962 to 1971. His term was after the term of Arsenio Lacson as Mayor of Manila, and before the period of martial law in the Philippines.[1]

Vice Mayor of Manila

In 1959, at the age of 31, Villegas began his political career as a candidate for Manila Vice Mayor. He was elected as Vice Mayor of Manila in the 1959 elections.[1]

Tenure as mayor of Manila

After Lacson's sudden death in 1962, Villegas quickly decreed that the first overpass in the Philippines, located in Quiapo area of Manila, should bear the name of Lacson in his honor.[1] Construction of Lacson underpass began in 1962 and was completed in 1964.

Political career

Villegas won the Vice Mayor race in 1959 and became Manila's mayor when Lacson died in 1962 with over one year left on his term. In 1963, he ran for reelection under the Liberal Party (LP) banner and won against Nacionalista Party (NP) Congressman Roberto Oca. In 1967, he ran again for reelection and won against NP Congressman Pablo Ocampo. His victory along with his party council members in Manila was the only major victory enjoyed by the Liberal Party (LP) in 1967. All of the LP senatorial candidates except for Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino were defeated by the opposing Nacionalista Party.

In 1971, then Congressman Ramon Bagatsing was chosen by the Liberal Party to run for Manila Mayor. Vice-Mayor Felicisimo Cabigao remained NP's bet for mayor. Villegas was left without a party. He formed the Libre'ng Pilipino Party (LPP) to run for reelection as mayor. He selected journalist J.V. Cruz to be his running mate for vice mayor. In the 1971 local election, Villegas lost to Bagatsing.

Death and legacy

After losing in the 1971 local mayoral elections to then Manila Congressman Ramon Bagatsing, Villegas and his entire family emigrated to the United States.

He remained in Reno, Nevada until his death on November 16, 1984.[2] His coffin was exhumed from Reno cemetery and flown to the Philippines in October 1997. Memorial ceremony was held in Manila City Hall. Eulogies by the Villegas family, Mayor Alfredo Lim and Senator Blas Ople were given. Villegas body was finally buried in a plot located along the rotunda of Manila North Cemetery.[3]

Writings

References

  1. 1 2 3 Joaquin, Nick (1990). Manila,My Manila. Vera-Reyes, Inc.
  2. ↑ "Villegas vs CA". Retrieved 2012-01-10.
  3. ↑ "LIM PAYS RESPECT TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL FRANCIS BURTON HARRISON". Retrieved 2012-01-10.
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