Ramon Bagatsing
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In office December 30, 1957 – December 30, 1965 | |
Preceded by | Arturo Tolentino |
Succeeded by | Sergio Loyola |
In office December 30, 1969 – January 1, 1972 | |
Preceded by | Sergio Loyola |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
19th Mayor of Manila | |
In office January 1, 1972 – February 28, 1986 | |
Vice Mayor | Martin Isidro (1972–1975) James Barbers (1976–1986) |
Preceded by | Antonio Villegas |
Succeeded by | Mel Lopez
( President of the University of the City of Manila |
In office June 1, 1978 – October 27, 1982 | |
Preceded by | Consuelo Blanco |
Succeeded by | Jose Villanueva |
Personal details | |
Born | Ramon Delaraga Bagatsing August 19, 1916 Sagay, Negros Occidental, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands, U.S. |
Died | February 14, 2006 Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines | (aged 89)
Resting place | Manila South Cemetery, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Political party | LDP (1992) KBL (1978–1986) Liberal (1957–1978) |
Spouses | Corazon Belmonte
(m. 1939; died 1944)Juanita Sevilla
(m. 1944; died 1998) |
Domestic partner | Zenaida Lazaro |
Relations | Raymond Bagatsing (grandson) RK Bagatsing (grandson) Hyram Bagatsing (grandson) |
Children | 13, including (Ramon Jr. and Amado[1]) |
Alma mater | Philippine Law School (LL.M, DCL) |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Lawyer |
Awards | American Defense Ribbon Philippine Defense Ribbon Philippine Liberation Medal Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal Plaque of the Silver |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1941–1946 |
Rank | Major |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Ramon Delaraga Bagatsing Sr. (August 19, 1916 – February 14, 2006) was a Filipino politician. He was the only Filipino of Indian ancestry and
Before occupying the city's highest office, Bagatsing served as a Representative to Congress for Manila, member of Cabinet, lawyer, lay minister, and policeman. He earned the moniker "The Incorruptible" for his clean record in public service and for his unwavering anti-graft and corruption stance.
Early life and military career
Bagatsing was born on August 19, 1916, in
When the
For his military service, Bagatsing was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, the Philippine Defense Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Plaque of the Silver Kris of the Philippine Veterans Federation. He was National Commander of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and a member of the Philippine Veterans Legion, American Legion and American Disabled Veterans.
Corporate and political life
With the war over, he continued his law studies while working as the driver of the company bus of Elizalde & Co. From 1947 to 1957, he climbed the corporate ladder to become the company's Public Relations and Personnel Manager, and during the same period, passed the bar examinations and became a lawyer. He was also a bank safe and home safety box salesman.
Bagatsing first entered public service in the 1957 elections when his province mate, then-presidential candidate and former
He was elected again as Congressman in 1961 and held the chairmanship of the powerful Justice Committee. As a legislator, Bagatsing authored several laws, such as the Philippine Veterans Act, the National Stud Farm Law, the laws creating the
After his second term, he joined the Cabinet, becoming the country's chief graft-buster as Head of the Presidential Agency on Reforms and Government Operations (PARGO) from 1967 to 1969. During his stint at PARGO, Bagatsing was dubbed by the Philippine Free Press as "The Incorruptible" for his prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases against prominent and high-ranking officials, including the conviction and expulsion of a city mayor for graft.
In 1969, he ran again for his old congressional seat in Manila and was overwhelmingly elected to a third term. During his ten years, or three terms, in the
Plaza Miranda Bombing and as Mayor
Bagatsing was one of the survivors of the
Bagatsing was briefly
In the 1971 local elections, Bagatsing defeated incumbent Mayor Antonio Villegas for the mayoralty of the City of Manila. Early in his fifteen-year term, he established the first Barangay Bureau in the Philippines, creating the blueprint for the barangay (village) system as the basic socio-political unit for Manila. This was quickly replicated by the national government and still survives to this day. He also set up the Manila Youth Bureau and the Tourism Office of Manila, which was a first for any local government.
Bagatsing then spearheaded the awarding of land titles to many of the city's indigent landless families, further endearing him to the poor, who were all grateful and glad to have the achievement of finally owning the land of their homes. He also established several multi-sectoral cooperatives especially benefiting the vendors in the city's public markets, providing vital financial assistance and livelihood opportunities for Manila's less fortunate citizens.
Many schools, educational institutions, hospitals, health centers, public markets, daycare centers, roads and public parks were built and developed in his incumbency, among them, the Ospital ng Sampaloc, the College of Medicine Building of PLM or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, the Plaza Noli, the Rajah Sulayman Plaza, the bigger Manila Public Library, the Dapitan Sports Complex, Tondo High School and other public schools. Bagatsing, an early environmentalist, embarked on a massive citywide tree planting program, personally planting, even watering, most of the trees in and around the Manila City Hall and across the entire stretch of España Boulevard, as well as, the coconut trees on the famous bay-walk of Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay.
Before the life-threatening injuries he sustained in the Plaza Miranda tragedy, Bagatsing was an avid sportsman and created the Manila Sports Council, the city's grassroots sports development office. The Anak ng Maynilà (Child of Manila) Youth Leadership Training Program, which was a self-help seminar and spiritual improvement retreat, regularly held in the nearby rural, coastal and mountain areas of Cavite, Batangas and Alabang, was also implemented by Bagatsing, as the multitudes of Manila's young, the children and students, especially the disadvantaged, would always look forward, with eager anticipation and excitement, to be part of this worthwhile endeavor. Bagatsing also made sure to take good care of the welfare of the city's workers and public school teachers by increasing their salaries, wages and benefits. It was also in 1973 when Bagatsing established the Manila Barangay Bureau which recognized and institutionalized the barangay (village) as the basic political unit, this was an administrative first in local governance which enabled basic services to be delivered at the grassroots level. The establishment of the "barangay" was so innovative that then President Marcos adopted it and rolled it out nationwide. This achievement is immortalized and recognized in the historical marker under Bagatsing's portrait at the Manila City hall.
The City of Manila was at the height of its stature and prestige during most of Bagatsing's leadership as
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Ang_Bulwagang_Eulogio_Rodriguez_City_Hall_%28Metro_Manila%3B_2023-08-18%29_E911a_02.jpg/175px-Ang_Bulwagang_Eulogio_Rodriguez_City_Hall_%28Metro_Manila%3B_2023-08-18%29_E911a_02.jpg)
It was also during this period that Manila gained further prominence in the international spectrum, becoming the first city in
The following year, adding to its global acclaim, the city's name became renowned in the sporting world due to the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The legendary match was actually held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, but the promoters decided to highlight the City of Manila, with Ali enjoying his stay at the historic Manila Hotel, often jogging around the boulevards of Manila, mingling and interacting with the locals. Because of this, Bagatsing gladly provided Ali with a rather large security detail and even accompanied the American boxer to some of his training sessions.
In December 1979, Manila Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey, the first main thoroughfare in the United States named after the Philippine capital, is inaugurated by Bagatsing together with members of the Jersey City Council before an elated Filipino-American community. Due to their collective effort, the former Grove Boulevard had been rechristened Manila Avenue upon adoption of local Jersey City Ordinance S-326, which further cemented the partnership among the two major cities and was considered a milestone in global intercity relations and diplomacy.
Immediately after advancing Manila's presence in the East Atlantic Seaboard, Bagatsing then focused towards the Pacific side, strengthening its close ties with the City and Borough of
Bagatsing, a Liberal Party stalwart, was able to keep his post during the entire martial law years by maintaining his clean public service record. He was also one of the first officials to voluntarily step down to allow for a leadership transition after the
Charity and civic work
Bagatsing was an accomplished International Director and Governor of the
In 1958, Bagatsing founded one of the largest scholarship programs of that time, the Ramon D. Bagatsing Scholarship Foundation, providing thousands of citizens the chance to receive quality education. He also had a genuine concern for persons with disabilities, and through the Mahaveer Foundation, would often help underprivileged amputees by giving them artificial prosthetic legs, as well as, wheelchairs and crutches.
He obtained his Master of Laws degree in 1971 from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Graduate School (GS) and finished his Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1977 at the same university. As a benefactor of the UST-GS Alumni Association, he supported the association's projects and annual awarding ceremonies through his regular donations.
Bagatsing also served as the first president of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) Alumni Association, Inc. in the Bacolod.
Legacy and love for horses
Bagatsing was well known for his love for horses. He successfully revived the Gran Copa de Manila and owned a huge
A devout and deeply religious man, Bagatsing, along with his wife, Annie, was very active and supportive of the
Bagatsing maintained a very close friendship with the
During the early 1970s, Bagatsing, a prime advocate of education for others, voluntarily set aside nearly ten hectares of his vast farm and village estate in Alabang for the expansion, to the south of Manila, of the Benedictine educational institution of
When he was still alive, Bagatsing would always mark his birthday by conducting a two-day spiritual retreat in the company of the imprisoned accused at the Manila City Jail, often breaking bread with them in their cells and leading them to reflection and prayer at the prison chapel. He actually would spend the night in jail, talking and listening to the incarcerated, helping them with their problems before going to bed in a makeshift sleeping area near the prisoners. Of course, they were much to happy to be with Bagatsing, who would also give them plenty of food, clothing, supplies, and legal assistance for their pending cases. This was occasionally featured in various newspapers, usually with the tongue-in-cheek headline "Bagatsing in Jail", which never failed to put a smile on the face of Bagatsing and the fellow inmates.
Throughout his life, Bagatsing was fondly called "Bumbáy" (a colloquial, slightly derogatory Filipino term for the
Personal life
Bagatsing married his first wife Corazon Cabigo Belmonte (June 1917 - before 1944) on September 13, 1939, in
His son Valentino Bagatsing is the country head of International Finance Company (IFC) in Nepal.[3][2] Another two sons, Amado and Ramon Jr. (Dondon), were congressmen representing the Fifth District and Fourth District of Manila, respectively. His eldest son also named Ramon Jr. (Boy) is a former actor.
He is the grandfather of siblings Raymond Bagatsing, RK Bagatsing and Monina Bagatsing, children of Ramon "Boy" Bagatsing Jr. and all in the entertainment industry; professional basketball player Hyram Bagatsing; and Fifth District of Manila Representative Cristal Bagatsing who served from 2016 to 2022.
Death
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Manila_South_Cemetery_Ramon_Bagatsing_San_Andres_%28Metro_Manila%3B_2023-08-18%29_E911a_03.jpg/220px-Manila_South_Cemetery_Ramon_Bagatsing_San_Andres_%28Metro_Manila%3B_2023-08-18%29_E911a_03.jpg)
On the morning of February 14, 2006, Bagatsing died in his sleep due to cardiac arrest. He was buried beside his wife Juanita, who died almost eight years before him, in the family mausoleum at the Manila South Cemetery. Memorial services were held at the Manila City Hall and at the Our Lady of Loreto Church in the Sampaloc district, which he represented in Congress. Bagatsing is survived by his children Rica, Amado, Ramon "Boy" Jr., Rey, Roy, Ramon "Dondon" Jr., Jesus, Manuel, Eduardo, Raul, Marilyn, Lani and Valentino.
Even after his incumbency and death, Bagatsing continues to be held in high regard by the people of Manila as some of his children and grandchildren have been elected, in various times, as well as, at present, to Philippine Congress and the City Councils of Manila, Pasay, and Muntinlupa.
In commemoration of his career as mayor and a supporter of horse racing industry, the Bagatsing family organized the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Racing Festival in 2009. The racing festival, usually held at the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite, surpassed the total gross sales in racing in the 2014 edition (43 million pesos). Famed horses Hagdang Bato and Low Profile were the winners for the past two editions of the Challenge of the Champions Cup in honor of Bagatsing himself.[8]
See also
- Mayor of Manila
- Plaza Miranda bombing
- City of Manila
- Manila City Hall
- National Defense College of the Philippines
- Fabrica
- Manila South Cemetery
External links
Media related to Ramon Bagatsing at Wikimedia Commons
References
- ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (2018-10-16). "Erap, Lim, Isko: A three-corner fight for Manila mayoral post". Interaksyon. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ a b Farewell to former Manila Mayor Dr. Ramon D. Bagatsing: A civic leader, war veteran, lawyer, business executive, religious lay leader, and legislator
- ^ a b The strange case of Filipino Bhagat Singhs, The Times of India, Published 21 March 2015
- ^ Farewell to former Manila Mayor Dr. Ramon D. Bagatsing: A civic leader, war veteran, lawyer, business executive, religious lay leader, and legislator
- ^ "News - The Varsitarian". Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994 Image Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994; pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-12228-22206-92 — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994 Image Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994; pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-12229-21985-69 — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- Philippine Star. Retrieved August 31, 2015.