Teófilo Sison
Teófilo L. Sison (February 29, 1880 – April 13, 1975) was a Philippine legislator and the first Secretary of National Defense of the Philippine Commonwealth.
Teófilo Sison | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of National Defense | |
| In office November 1, 1939 – July 15, 1941 | |
| Appointed by | Manuel Quezon |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Quezon in concurrent capacity as President |
| Governor of Pangasinan | |
| In office 1922–1925 | |
| Senator of the Philippines from the Second Senatorial District | |
| In office 1928 – November 15, 1935 Served with: Camilo Osías (1928–1929) Alejandro de Guzman (1929-1931) Alejo Mabanag (1931–1935) | |
| Preceded by | Alejo Mabanag |
| Succeeded by | Post abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 29, 1880 Dagupan, Pangasinan, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | April 13, 1975 (aged 95) Philippines |
| Political party | Nacionalista Party |
| Spouse(s) | Filomena Solis |
Early life
Sison was born on February 29, 1880 in Dagupan, Pangasinan, to Benito Sison and Escolástica Leuterio.
He studied at the College of San Alberto Magno, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1896 and the University of Santo Tomas, B.A., in the same year. He taught in the public schools of Binmaley, Pangasinan from October 19o0 until June 1901.
Career
On July 1, 1901 he was appointed interpreter for the Court of First Instance Third Judicial District. It was during his term as court interpreter that he married Filomena Solis in Lingayen, Pangasinan on November 19, 1910. He served in such capacity until July 1, 1914, when he was reappointed to a similar position in the 5th District where he remained until September 30, 1914.
After he passed the Philippine Bar examination on September 7, 1914, he established his own law office and engaged in the active practice of his profession.
Legislative career
In June 1916, he was elected Municipal Councilor of Lingayen, a position he held until October 1919. He went on to become Provincial Governor of Pangasinan during the June 1922 election and was re-elected in the general elections of 1925.
Then in June 1928, he was elected for the Senatorial District, comprising the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union and Zambales. As Senator during the period 1928-1931, he was Chairman of the Committees on Civil Service and National Enterprise, and member of the following committees: Finance, Public Works and Communication, Appointments, Justice, Municipal and Provincial Governments, Election and Privileges, City of Manila, Commerce and Industry, Labor and Immigration.
During the 9th Legislative Assembly, he was chairman of the Committee of Justice and member of the following committees: Finance, Public Works and Communication, Appointments, Public Instruction, External Relations, Banks Corporations and Franchise, Commerce and Industry, City of Manila, Municipal and Provincial Governments, Labor and Immigration, Civil Service and Library.
Secretary of National Defense
He was appointed Secretary of National Defense in November 1, 1939 during the presidency of Manuel Quezon pursuant to the enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 1 or the National Defense Act.
Death
He died two months after his 95th birthday on April 13, 1975. He was buried at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.
