Ramon Mitra, Jr. | |
---|---|
16th Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives | |
In office July 27, 1987 – June 30, 1992 |
|
President | Corazon Aquino |
Preceded by | Abolished (Last held by Nicanor Yñiguez) |
Succeeded by | Jose de Venecia, Jr. |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Palawan's Second District | |
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992 |
|
Preceded by | Post created |
Succeeded by | Alfredo Amor Abueg, Jr. |
Philippine Minister and Secretary of Agriculture | |
In office March 25, 1986 – March 9, 1987 |
|
President | Corazon Aquino |
Preceded by | Salvador Escudero |
Succeeded by | Carlos Dominguez III |
Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Palawan | |
In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986 |
|
Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Palawan's Lone District | |
In office December 30, 1965 – December 30, 1971 |
|
Preceded by | Gaudencio Abordo |
Succeeded by |
Vacant Post later held by himself |
Senator of the Philippines | |
In office December 30, 1971 – September 23, 1972 |
|
Personal details | |
Born |
Ramon Villarosa Mitra February 4, 1928 Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippine Islands |
Died | March 20, 2000 Makati, Philippines |
(aged 72)
Nationality | Filipino |
Political party |
Liberal Party Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (1987–2000) |
Spouse(s) | Cecilia Aldeguer Blanco |
Children |
Ramon Mitra III Bernardo Mitra Abraham Kahlil Mitra Raul Mitra Joaquin Mitra /> Eduardo Mitra /> Juan Mitra |
Alma mater | San Beda College |
Profession | Politician |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Ramon Villarosa Mitra, Jr. (February 4, 1928 – March 20, 2000) was a Filipino statesman, diplomat, and pro-democracy activist.
Mitra was born inside the Iwahig Penal Colony in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, to Ramon P. Mitra y Mariño and Purification Villarosa. He attended public school for elementary education and took his secondary education in San Beda College, Manila. He finished his degree in liberal arts in Baguio City and obtained his Bachelor of Laws in San Beda College.
Mitra was appointed as a Philippine Foreign Service Officer in Washington, D.C. and at the United Nations from 1954 to 1961.In 1961, he was appointed as special assistant to the Office of President Quirino. He then became a senior technical assistant to the Office of the Mayor Villegas of Manila, from 1962 to 1965.
Mitra was elected congressman representing Palawan for two terms from 1965 and was the minority leader within five years.
He resigned, during his second term, to run for the senate and was elected senator in 1971. During the campaign, he was nearly killed in Plaza Miranda by hand grenades at the anti-Marcos political rally of the Liberal Party. In September 1972, his term was cut short by Martial Law. Mitra was one of the first arrested and jailed when Marcos declared martial law. "I am a martial law victim," he would say.
In 1978, Monching ran for the Interim Batasang Pambansa together with Sen. Ninoy Aquino. In 1984, he was elected as an Assemblyman to the Regular Batasang Pambansa. After the People Power Revolution in 1986, Mitra joined the Aquino administration and was appointed as Agriculture Minister.
After the restoration of the House of Representatives, he ran for the second district of Palawan. He was eventually elected as Speaker of the House at its inaugural session. During his sterling leadership of the House, major bills were passed into laws of the country and instituted policies, aimed at enhancing the functions of the House as a legislative institution.