Glenda Buray Ecleo was a Filipino politician. She authored the charter of the province of Dinagat Islands which was established in 2006 and administered it as its governor from 2010 to 2019.

Glenda Ecleo
Governor of Dinagat Islands
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Dinagat Islands' Lone District
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byRuben Ecleo Jr.
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Surigao del Norte' First District
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byConstantino Navarro Jr.
Succeeded byFrancisco Matugas
In office
June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1995
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byConstantino Navarro Jr.
Personal details
Born
Glenda Buray
Died(2024-08-25)August 25, 2024 (aged 87)
Spouse
(m. 1955; died 1987)
Children8 (inc. Ruben Jr., Jade, Gwendolyn)

Career

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Ecleo served as representative of Surigao del Norte's 1st district in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995, and 2001 to 2007. She authored Republic Act 9355, the charter of Dinagat Islands, a province created from Surigao del Norte in 2006.[1]

Upon creation of the province, Ecleo served as the de facto representative of Dinagat Islands in the lower house,[2] until she was elected as Dinagat Island's lone district's first ever representative in 2007. She ran unopposed for the tenure which lasted 2010.[3]

She was governor of Dinagat Islands from 2010 to 2019.[4] In the 2013 election, Ecleo was re-elected with her daughter Jade challenging her position as governor.[5]

The Commission on Elections started a preliminary investigation in 2014, against Ecleo for possible overspending for her campaigning in the 2010 election. After seven years, the Comelec in 2021 would recommend a filing of criminal charges against Ecleo. However this was reversed in 2023 by a Supreme Court ruling for violation of Ecleo's constitutional right to speedy disposition of the case.[6]

Death

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Ecleo died on August 25, 2024.[4] She suffered from a blood infection.[1]

Personal life

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Glenda was a matriarch of the Ecleo political family of Dinagat Islands who has held various electoral positions in the province.[3] Her husband was Ruben Ecleo Sr. is the founder of the religious organization Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association.[7] They married in 1955 and had eight children.[8]

The Ecleo matriarch was also president of the Don Jose Ecleo Memorial College.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lopez, Alexander (August 26, 2024). "Dinagat residents mourn passing of former guv Glenda Ecleo". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Serrano, Ben (December 15, 2024). "Rep. Ecleo's daughter chosen as interim gov of Dinagat province". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Dinagat Islands: Ecleo country". The PCIJ Blog. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. June 7, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Former Dinagat Islands Gov. Glenda Ecleo, 87". Manila Bulletin. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  5. ^ Tupaz, Voltaire (May 14, 2013). "Dinagat: Ecleo mother defeats daughter". Rappler. Retrieved October 20, 2024.(subscription required)
  6. ^ "SC reverses Comelec; nullifies 'election overspending' charge vs ex-Dinagat Islands Gov Glenda Ecleo". Manila Bulletin. April 29, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ecleo matriarch in Dinagat Islands passes away". MindaNews. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  8. ^ Caña, Paul John (May 25, 2021). "The Strange Case of the Ecleos and the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association". Esquire. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "CHED Caraga Representatives Attend Wake of Late President of DJEMC Dr. Glenda Ecleo, Pays Tribute to Her Legacy and Service". Commission on Higher Education - Caraga Regional Office. September 3, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.