Roque Ablan Jr.

Roquito "Roque" R. Ablan, Jr. (April 22, 1932 – March 26, 2018) was a Filipino politician who served as representative from Ilocos Norte. He is one of the most prominent politicians in Ilocos Norte, having served 8 terms in Congress.[2]

The Honourable

Roque Ablan, Jr.
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Ilocos Norte's 1st District
In office
January 22, 1968 – September 23, 1972
Preceded byAntonio V. Raquiza
Succeeded byAbolished
Post later held by himself[1]
In office
June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998
Preceded byPost restored
Succeeded byRodolfo C. Fariñas
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byRodolfo C. Fariñas
Succeeded byRodolfo C. Fariñas
Personal details
Born(1932-04-22)April 22, 1932
Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippine Islands
DiedMarch 26, 2018(2018-03-26) (aged 85)
Taguig City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines
OccupationLawyer

Early life and education

He was born on April 22, 1932 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. He was the son of former Ilocos Norte governor Roque Ablan, Sr. and Dona Manuela R. Ablan.[2] He graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law where he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity with Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in 1950.[3]

Ablan was known to be a close ally of President Ferdinand Marcos.[4] In an interview, Ablan mentioned that he ran errands to deliver bar examination review materials to a then-detained Marcos.[5]

Political career

He was first elected as Ilocos Norte provincial board member in 1963, and concurrently served as Chairman of the League of Provincial Board Members in the Philippines until 1967.[4][6]

In 1967, he was elected into the House of Representatives and served until 1972. After the 1986 People Power Revolution, he was elected Ilocos Norte Representative again and served from 1987-1998 and 2001-2010, respectively. During these terms, he chaired the congressional committees on Housing, Dangerous Drugs, and Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy. Among his notable legislation include the Rent Control Act of 2009, the Death Penalty Law, and the Magna Carta for Migrant Workers.[2][6]

In 1998, he ran as Ilocos Norte governor but lost to Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.[2]

In 1968, Ablan and Filipino lawyer and bar topnotcher Amado M. Santiago, Jr. co-founded Ablan & Santiago, a law firm which held office at Ermita, Manila. Ablan later on left the firm to run for public office.[7]

Military service

Ablan served as a soldier under the 5th Special Forces of the United States of America in Vietnam.[4] Although an incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative, he was also a member of the Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) in South Vietnam from 1968-1975.[6]

Death

Ablan died on March 26, 2018 in St. Luke's Medical Center, Taguig City.[6] He is buried in the Maharlika cemetery in Laoag City.[4]

He is survived by his son, PCOO Assistant Secretary and former Ilocos Norte Board Member Kristian Ablan.

References
  1. Congress was dissolved when President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972.
  2. Rappler.com. "Former Ilocos Norte representative Roque Ablan Jr dies". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  3. "Upsilon Sigma Phi - History". Upsilon Sigma Phi. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  4. "Ilocos Norte dads want April 22 declared as Ablan Jr. Day". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  5. BusinessMirror (2016-07-29). "Roquito Ablan Jr., Upsilonian brother to Aquino and Marcos". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  6. "House Resolution No. 1835" (PDF). House of Representatives. Retrieved June 24, 2020. |first= missing |last= (help)
  7. "Santiago & Santiago". www.santiagolaw.com.ph. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
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