Antonio de Jesus Villegas

1962 to 1971

BSBA HRDM-11 GROUP 2

Dilao, John Paul

Dy, Jhanmark
Endiape, Nora May
Esmejarda, Kevin Clark
Ismael, Kyle Adriel
Jugo, Christopher John
Taroma, Daniel
Life

Former Mayor Antonio Villegas, born on January 9, 1928, in Tondo, Manila, was the son of
Epifanio Trinidad Villegas, Sr. and Obdulia de Jesus Villegas. His significant contribution to
Philippine governance includes serving as the Mayor of Manila from 1962 to 1971. Notably, his term
succeeded Arsenio Lacson's mayoral tenure and preceded the imposition of martial law in the
Philippines.

Antonio de Jesus Villegas played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Manila during a
critical period in the country's history. His leadership spanned a time of political transitions and
challenges. It would be fascinating to delve deeper into the specific policies and initiatives he
undertook during his mayoralty, shedding light on the socio-political dynamics of Manila at that time.

Moreover, understanding the broader context of his leadership within the historical
framework of pre-martial law in the Philippines adds depth to our appreciation of Mayor Villegas's
contributions. If you have more details or specific aspects you'd like to explore, feel free to share, and
we can delve further into the fascinating history surrounding Antonio Villegas's mayoral term in
Manila.

Tenure as Mayor of Manila

After Lacson's sudden death in 1962, Villegas quickly decreed that the first overpass in the
Philippines, located in the Quiapo area of Manila, should bear the name of Lacson in his honor.
Construction of the Lacson underpass began in 1962 and was completed in 1964.
 Among the significant accomplishments of Villegas as Mayor of the City of Manila were:

● He was the first to provide a free education (with free books) from elementary to high school
to the children in Manila.

● He was the first to provide free college education to the poor but intellectually gifted high
school graduates of the City of Manila. This free college education includes free tuition,
books and uniforms.

● He constructed the first free hospital in the Philippines, The Ospital ng Maynila.

● He made Manila a non-smoking city that prohibited smoking inside the buildings, including
the public transports and movie theaters.

● He started solving the traffic in Manila by: (a) constructing vehicular and pedestrian
underpass and overpass; (b) limiting the entry in Manila of the provincial buses and freight
trucks; (c) initiating the use ferry boats as public transport along Pasig River (Del Pan in
Divisoria to/from Guadalupe Bridge in Makati/Mandaluyong.

● He constructed public parks in many parts of Manila.

● He initiated the use of Filipino (based on Tagalog dialect) as the official communication in
Manila.

Political Career

Villegas won the Vice Mayor race in 1959 and became Manila's mayor when Lacson died in
1962 with over one year left on his term. In 1963, he ran for reelection under the Liberal Party (LP)
banner and won against Nacionalista Party (NP) Congressman Roberto Oca. In 1967, he ran again for
reelection and won against NP Congressman Pablo Ocampo. His victory along with his party council
members in Manila was the only major victory enjoyed by the Liberal Party (LP) in 1967. All of the
LP senatorial candidates except for Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino were defeated by the opposing
Nacionalista Party.

In 1971, then Congressman Ramon Bagatsing was chosen by the Liberal Party to run for
Manila Mayor. Vice-Mayor Felicisimo Cabigao remained NP's bet for mayor. Villegas was left
without a party. He formed the Libre'ng Pilipino Party (LPP) to run for reelection as mayor. He
selected journalist J.V. Cruz to be his running mate for vice mayor. In the 1971 local election,
Villegas lost to Bagatsing.

Death and legacy

After losing in the 1971 local mayoral elections to then Manila Congressman Ramon
Bagatsing, Villegas and his entire family emigrated to the United States.

He remained in Reno, Nevada until his death on November 16, 1984. His coffin was exhumed
from Reno cemetery and flown to the Philippines in October 1997. Memorial ceremony was held in
Manila City Hall. Eulogies by the Villegas family, Mayor Alfredo Lim and Senator Blas Ople were
given. Villegas' body was finally buried in a plot located along the rotunda of Manila North Cemetery.

Writings

● Manila, 1962: Mayor Antonio J. Villegas reports (1963)

● Building a better Manila (1963)
● Manila: Its Needs and Resources (1966)
● Dahong Alaala (1968)
● To end the reign of misery and strife ... Libre'ng Pilipino (1971)