Jose Altavas

Jose Cortes Altavas (September 11, 1877 – August 21, 1952) was a Filipino politician, legislator and man of letters. He was a municipal councilman of Capiz (presently Roxas City, Capiz), Provincial Board Member(1906–1907)), Philippine Legislature congressman (1907–1909 and 1925–1927), Governor of Capiz (1910–1916), Senator in the Philippine Legislature (1916 to 1922), and 1934 Constitutional Convention delegate.

The Honourable Jose Cortes Altavas
Senator of the Philippines
In office 1916–1922
Constitutional Convention Delegate
In office 1934–1935
Member of the Philippine Legislature
In office 1907–1909
In office 1925–1927
Governor of Capiz
In office 1910–1916
Provincial Board Member of Capiz
In office 1906–1907
Personal details
Born	September 11, 1877 Balete, Capiz
Died	August 21, 1952 Roxas City, Capiz
Nationality	Filipino
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University of Santo Tomas
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and education

Born on September 11, 1877, Jose Altavas was from the town of Balete of the province of Capiz, Philippines.[1] His parents, Jose Altavas Sr. and Andrea Cortes,[2] sent him to Ateneo de Manila for school and later at the University of Santo Tomas for his law degree. His studies were disrupted by the Philippine Revolution of which he had an active involvement in his hometown under the command of Santiago Bellosillo.[3] He was 20 years old at that time.[4]

When the revolution ended, he finished his studies and practiced law in Capiz on May 6, 1901 after passing the bar.[3] He was also a newspaperman and writer who wrote Spanish poems and 54-volume memoir that contained recollections of his life.[4]

Politics

He began his political career as an elected member of the Capiz municipal council (now Roxas City) in 1903[3] and later as provincial board member from 1906 until 1907.[1] From 1907 to 1909, he was voted as a legislator to the First Philippine Legislature for the 2nd district of the province.[5] In 1910, he became governor of Capiz and served until 1916.[3] It was during his term that the construction of the provincial capitol building, bridges, and roads between Aklan and Capiz began.[4]

From 1916-1922, he was elected Senator during the Fourth Philippine Legislature and the Fifth Philippine Legislature, representing the 7th senatorial district that was composed of the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo and Romblon.[2] By 1925, he again won as 2nd district representative and his term ended in 1927.[5] He was also voted to be the 1st district delegate of the Constitution Assembly that was held in 1934.[6]

Personal life

Historical marker

Altavas was married to Socorro Barrios Laserna[3] and had seven children.[1] On August 21, 1952, he died in Roxas City, Capiz.[1][3]

The historical marker by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is installed in his memory at the entrance of the Altavas municipal hall and his bust can be found at the park outside the building.[7]

References

1. "Jose Altavas". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
2. "List of Previous Senators". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
3. Oaminal, Clarence Paul (October 22, 2014). "Senator Jose Cortes Altavas". Pressreader. The Freeman. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
4. Funtecha, Henry F. "The great triumvirate of Capiz". The News Today. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
5. "ROSTER OF PHILIPPINE LEGISLATORS". House of Representatives. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
6. Our Delegates to the Constitutional Assembly: English-Spanish (in Spanish). Benipayo Press. 1935.
7. Alzate, Caroline (March 2018). "PDR Altavas". Retrieved June 20, 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)