Cornelio Villareal

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tupaz and the surname or paternal family name is Villareal.

Cornelio Tupaz Villareal (September 11, 1904 – December 22, 1992) was a Filipino lawyer and 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.

The Honorable Cornelio T. Villareal
11th Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
In office April 1, 1971 – September 23, 1972
Preceded by	Jose Laurel Jr.
Succeeded by	Querube Makalintal (as speaker of the Interim Batasang Pambansa)
In office March 9, 1962 – February 2, 1967
Preceded by	Daniel Z. Romualdez
Succeeded by	Jose Laurel Jr.
House Minority Leader
In office January 27, 1958 – March 9, 1962
Preceded by	Eugenio Pérez
Succeeded by	Daniel Z. Romualdez
Member of the House of Representatives from Capiz's 2nd district
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
Preceded by	District re-established
Succeeded by	Vicente Andaya Jr.
In office June 11, 1945 – September 23, 1972
Preceded by	José Dorado
Succeeded by	District abolished
9th Governor of Capiz
In office 1942–1945
Preceded by	Gabriel Hernandez
Succeeded by	Ludovico Hidrosollo
Personal details
Born	(1904-09-11)September 11, 1904 Mambusao, Capiz, Philippine Islands
Died	December 22, 1992(1992-12-22) (aged 88) Marikina, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Liberal (1946-1992)
Other political affiliations	Nacionalista (1934-1946)
Spouse	Angeles Lema
Alma mater	Silliman University Philippine Law School (LL.B)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer

Early life

Villareal was born in Mambusao, Capiz. 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 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. Due to the Japanese invasion in late 1941, he did not assume office until 1945. He was re-elected in 1946 under the banner of the Liberal Party, 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.

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.

References

• Corazon L. Paras; La Vina, Dean Karlo B. (1996). The Speakers of the Philippine Legislative Branch. House of Representatives of the Philippines. ISBN 971-92100-0-1.