Mariano Cuenco

In this Filipino name, normally written in reverse, the first or paternal family name is Cuenco and the second or maternal family name is Diosómito.

Mariano Cuenco
President of the Senate of the Philippines
In office February 21, 1949 – December 30, 1951
Preceded by	José Avelino
Succeeded by	Quintín Paredes
Senator of the Philippines
In office July 4, 1945 – December 30, 1951
In office December 30, 1953 – February 25, 1964
Secretary of Public Works and Communications of the Philippines
In office 1936–1939
President	Manuel L. Quezon
Preceded by	Antonio de las Alas
Succeeded by	Jose Avelino
Municipal President of Cebu
In office November 28, 1936 – December 1, 1936
Appointed by	Manuel L. Quezon
Preceded by	Fructuoso Ramos
Succeeded by	Alfredo V. Jacinto
Governor of Cebu
In office 1931–1934
Preceded by	Arsenio Climaco
Succeeded by	Sotero B. Cabahug
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cebu's 5th district
In office 1912–1928
Preceded by	Troadio Galicano
Succeeded by	Tomas Alonzo
Personal details
Born	Mariano Jesús Cuenco y Diosómito (1888-01-16)January 16, 1888 Carmen, Cebu, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	February 25, 1964(1964-02-25) (aged 76) Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Resting place	Manila North Cemetery
Party	Nacionalista (1912–1946; 1953–1964)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (1946–1953)
Spouses	Filomena Alesna (died) Rosa Cayetano
Relations	Cuenco family
Children	Manuel and others
Occupation	Politician writer

Mariano Jesús Cuenco y Diosómito (January 16, 1888 – February 25, 1964) was a Filipino politician and writer from Cebu. He was the 4th President of the Senate of the Philippines.

Early life and education

Cuenco was born on January 16, 1888 in Carmen, Cebu. His parents are Mariano Albao Cuenco (1861–1909) and Remedios López Diosomito, both involved in the news media industry. He studied at the San Carlos College, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1904. He finished law in 1911 at the Escuela de Derecho (later became the Manila Law School) and passed the bar examinations in 1913.

Political career

Cuenco as member of the Philippine Assembly, c. 1913

Cuenco entered politics in 1912 when he was elected to the Philippine Assembly representing the fifth district of Cebu. He was re-elected from 1916 to 1928.

He ran for the governorship of Cebu and won in 1928 and 1931. In his second term as Cebu governor, Cuenco became the President of the League of Provincial Governors in the Philippines. He lost the governorship to Sotero Cabahug in the 1934 elections.

In 1934, he was elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention where he was chosen floor leader. Cuenco was Secretary of Public Works and Communications from 1936 to 1939. He was also concurrent acting secretary of the Acting Secretary of the Agriculture, Commerce, and Labor Departments.

In 1941, Cuenco was elected Senator of the Philippines but the onset of the Second World War prevented that Senate from going into session. After the Japanese Occupation, Cuenco was reelected to the Senate in 1946. From 1949 to 1951, he served as Senate President and Chairman of the Commission on Appointments. His term paved the way for many reforms and his significant contributions resulted in a more efficient legislative body.

As a member of the Liberal Party of incumbent President Elpidio Quirino, Senate President Cuenco was defeated in his bid for reelection in the Nacionalista Party shut-out during the 1951 Philippine general election. He ran and regained his seat as a Senator once again in 1953 and 1959. He continued serving in the Philippine Senate until his death in office in 1964.

Writing career

Cuenco was also writer. He was the publisher of the Spanish-language newspaper El Precursor of Cebu. In 1926, he became a member of the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language, which is also under the auspices of the Royal Spanish Academy.

Cuenco also wrote in Visayan with some of his works being Ang Republikang Pilipinhon, Código, and Roma.

Honors

He was honored by Spain with the Grand Cross decoration of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and by the Holy See with the decoration Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

Personal life

Cuenco was married twice, first to Filomena Barcenilla Alesna, and after she died, to Rosa Cayetano.

Death and legacy

Tomb of Cuenco at the Manila North Cemetery

Cuenco died on February 25, 1964, at the age of 76 at Manila Doctors Hospital. His remains were interred at the Manila North Cemetery.

M.J. Cuenco Avenue, a major thoroughfare in Cebu City, was named after him through a resolution by the Cebu City Council on March 23, 1964.

Further reading

• "Mariano Cuenco Website". Philippine American Literary House. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. (And most of the Cuenco family clan during the 1900 era)