Luis R. Villafuerte, Sr. | |
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| Member of thePhilippine House of Representatives fromCamarines Sur | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Arnulfo Fuentebella |
| Succeeded by | Leni Robredo |
| Constituency | 3rd District |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Sulpicio S. Roco |
| Succeeded by | Dato Arroyo |
| Constituency | 2nd District |
| Governor of Camarines Sur | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Vice Governor | Salvio Fortuno (1995–1998) Imelda Papin (1998–2004) |
| Preceded by | Jose Bulaong |
| Succeeded by | Luis Raymund Villafuerte |
| In office March 26, 1986 – June 30, 1992 | |
| Vice Governor | Julian Cea Napal (1986–1988) Jose Bulaong (1988–1992) |
| Preceded by | Felix Fuentebella |
| Succeeded by | Jose Bulaong |
| Minister of Trade | |
| In office 1979–1981 | |
| Preceded by | Roberto Ongpin |
| Succeeded by | Post dissolved (Ministry of Trade merged with Ministry of Industry) |
| Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) fromCamarines Sur | |
| In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986 | |
| Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) fromRegion V | |
| In office June 12, 1978 – June 5, 1984 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Luis Robredo Villafuerte (1935-08-29)August 29, 1935 Philippines |
| Died | September 8, 2021(2021-09-08) (aged 86) Taguig, Philippines |
| Party | Nacionalista (2018–2021) |
| Other political affiliations | NPC (2007–2018) KAMPI (2004–2007) LDP (1988–2004) UNIDO (1984–1988) KBL (1978–1984) |
| Spouse | Nelly Favis-Villafuerte |
| Children | 6, includingLuis Raymund |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (LL.B) |
| Occupation | Public servant |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Luis Robredo Villafuerte Sr. (August 29, 1935 – September 8, 2021), often referred to by his initialsLRV, was a Filipino politician who served asGovernor of Camarines Sur for 15 years and as a member of the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2013. He representedCamarines Sur's2nd district from 2004 to 2010, and the3rd district from 2010 to 2013.[1]
Villafuerte was the son of Mariano E. Villafuerte Sr., a lawyer who became a member of theNational Assembly of the Philippines during theCommonwealth era and Governor ofCamarines Sur during the Japanese occupation.[2] During the liberation ofNaga in May 1942, his father and his pregnant mother, Soledad Robredo Villafuerte, were on their way toLegazpi,Albay when were killed by members of the Tangcong Vaca Guerrilla Unit (TVGU) inBarrio Vito, Siruma in Camarines Sur for allegedly collaborating with the Japanese duringWorld War II.[3] His elder brother, Mariano ("Titoy"; born 1929), later became vice mayor of Naga City.
Villafuerte graduated from theUniversity of the Philippines College of Law with a degree in law and was a member of theSigma Rho fraternity.[4] He subsequently worked in the private sector as a lawyer, businessman and investment banker based in the United States before becoming Senior Executive Vice President of the Bancom Development Corporation from 1965 to 1974.[2]
Villafurte was an assemblyman in theBatasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1986. He also served as theMinister of Trade in the cabinet of PresidentFerdinand Marcos from 1979 to 1981.[5] However, he then broke with Marcos and joined the oppositionUNIDO party.[6] While campaigning for him during the1984 Philippine parliamentary election, his sister-in-law Rosita Villafuerte, who was also the Vice Mayor ofSipocot, Camarines Sur, was assassinated after speaking at a rally.[7]
After Marcos was overthrown in 1986, Villafuerte served as Secretary of Government Reorganization under PresidentCorazon Aquino.[5] In 1988, Villafuerte was elected governor of Camarines Sur, but lost reelection in 1992 to his vice governor, Jose Bulaong. He defeated Bulaong and singerImelda Papin in 1995 and was reelected in 1998.[8] He defeated singer and actressNora Aunor to win his third and final term as governor,[9] ending in 2004.[10] At the same time, Villafuerte was the first president of theLeague of Provinces of the Philippines from 1988 to 1990 and from 1998 to 2004.[11][12] During his tenure, Villafuerte was accused of involvement in theFertilizer Fund scam, but was acquitted in 2018.[13]
In 2004, he was elected to the House of Representatives representing Camarines Sur and served until 2013.[5] As a legislator, Villafuerte authored 67 bills and laws, including Republic Act 10157, which mandated compulsorykindergarten education.[14] He also supported proposals to split parts of Camarines Sur into a separate province to be called Nueva Camarines, which resulted in a feud with his son and successor as governor,Luis Raymund Villafuerte.[15][16]
In 2013, he ran again for governor but lost to his grandsonMiguel Luis Villafuerte, which occurred during a falling-out between the two in which the latter was supported by his father, Luis Raymund. The three reconciled in 2018.[17]
Villafuerte was married to Nelly Favis and had six children, includingLuis Raymund Villafuerte, who also entered politics.[18]
Villafuerte was the uncle ofJesse Robredo, whom he influenced to enter politics beginning with the mayorship ofNaga in 1988. However, the two fell out in 1992 following allegations of corruption andjueteng involving the Villafuertes, which led to Villafuerte disowning Robredo[19] and attempting to have him disqualified from public office multiple times.[20]
Villafuerte died on September 8, 2021, at theSt. Luke's Medical Center – Global City, at the age of 86.[21]
According to Mrs. [Matea] Madrid, E.V. nursed ill-feelings against [Mariano] Villafuerte because E.V. lost a civil case involving a piece of land that Villafuerte had handled as counsel for the opposing party years back.
| House of Representatives of the Philippines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theHouse of Representatives fromCamarines Sur's3rd district 2010–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Sulpicio S. Roco | Member of the House of Representatives from Camarines Sur's2nd district 2004–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jose Bulaong | Governor of Camarines Sur 1995–2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Camarines Sur 1986–1992 | Succeeded by Jose Bulaong |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Trade 1979–1981 | Post dissolved |