Celestino Rodriguez

Celestino Lazala Rodriguez (May 11, 1872 – 1955) was a Filipino lawyer and politician from Cebu, Philippines. He served as member and Deputy in the Philippine Assembly (1907–1912), as Senator (1916–1922), member of the 1st National Assembly (1935–1938), and 1st Congress of the Commonwealth in 1945.

The Honourable Celestino Lazala Rodriguez
Member and Deputy of the Philippine Assembly
In office 1907–1912
Senator of Philippine Legislature
In office 1916–1925
Member of the 1st National Assembly of the Philippines
In office 1935–1938
Preceded by	Tereso M. Dosdos
Succeeded by	Tereso M. Dosdos
Member of the 1st Congress of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
In office 1945–1946
Preceded by	Tereso M. Dosdos
Succeeded by	Jovenal Almendras
Personal details
Born	May 11, 1872 Bogo, Cebu, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	1955
Nationality	Filipino
Relations	Buenaventura Rodriguez Jose V. Rodriguez Pedro Rodriguez (politician)
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila La Universidad Central de Madrid
Profession	Lawyer

Early life

Celestino Rodriguez born to parents Jose Rodriguez and Vicenta Lazala in Bogo, Cebu on May 11, 1872,[1] coming from a wealthy Bogo family with extensive landholdings in the northern sugar-belt towns of the province.[2] He married Ignacia La Sala and had four children. At Ateneo de Manila, he acquired a bachelor's degree in 1892 and a law degree from the La Universidad Central de Madrid in 1900.[1]

Career

Passing the bar and becoming a lawyer in 1902, he practiced law as profession.[1]

In 1904, he first became the municipal president of Cebu.[1] In 1907, he was elected to the Philippine Assembly as member of the 1st Philippine Legislature representing Cebu's 1st district, then was reelected for the 2nd Philippine Legislature in 1910 until 1912,[3] and would become Deputy.[4][5] The Philippine Assembly was organized to pave the way for independence from the American rule.[6] He became the first representative of the old First District of Cebu, which included the towns of Bogo, Borbon, Catmon, Danao, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, SogodTabogon, and Tudela.[4]

Later, he was elected Senator and served in the Fourth Legislature, Fifth Legislature, and Sixth Legislature from 1916 until 1925.[7] In his time, the country was divided into 12 senatorial districts, each district voting 2 senators,[8] and he represented the Cebu, which was 10th district.[7]

He was voted member of the 1st National Assembly representing Cebu's First District from 1935 to 1938,[1] and then he served in the 1st Congress of the Commonwealth after the war in 1945.[5][3]

Historical commemoration

• Named Waling Waling Street previously and located within the Capitol compound, the Don Celestino Rodriguez Street was named in his honor by virtue of City Ordinance No. 635.[4]

References

1. "Celestino Rodriguez". www.senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
2. Sidel, John Thayer, 1966- (1999). Capital, coercion, and crime : bossism in the Philippines. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0804737452. OCLC 41619512.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. "ROSTER OF PHILIPPINE LEGISLATORS". House of Representatives. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
4. Oaminal, Clarence Paul (March 10, 2014). "Don Celestino Rodriguez St., Cebu City". www.pressreader.com. The Freeman through Pressreader. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
5. Mojares, Resil B. The history of Cebu, Philippines. Cebu (Philippines : Province),, University of San Carlos. Cebu City. ISBN 9789719972235. OCLC 953176470.
6. "The History of the First Philippine Assembly (1907-1916)". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
7. "List of Previous Senators". www.senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
8. "History of the Senate". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved May 17, 2019.