Don Vicente Rama, the Cebuano who won in the 1941 Senatorial Election
The 1935 Constitution enacted through the Tydings-McDuffie Law created the Office of the Presidency. It was the reason why we had our first national election with Manuel Luis Quezon as our First President. The 1935 Constitution however abolished the House of Senate created by virtue of the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 or more known after its author, the Jones Law. The country reverted to the unicameral congress with the National Assembly retained.
An amendment of the 1935 Constitution was introduced by the National Assembly, a plebiscite was held on June 18, 1940, the amendment was for the creation of the Bicameral Congress, with the House of Senate revived and the term of the President made to four years with reelection. The amendment was carried by the Filipino electorate. A special election was held on December 10, 1940 for the four vacant seats of the National Assembly and for the local positions. Thereafter the Nacionalista Party prepared for the first election for the Senate after its rebirth it was also a presidential election.
Don Manuel Quezon and Don Sergio Osmeña decided to run for reelection, the partners won. Quezon defeated Juan Sumulong of the Popular Front and a Cebuano legend, the self-proclaimed Five Star General Hilario Moncado. Don Sergio defeated Emilio Javier of the Popular Front.
The presidential election was held simultaneously with the senatorial election which was held on November 11, 1941. In the Nacionalista Party convention held from August 16 to 19 of 1941, there were four Cebuanos who were nominated to run for the Senate. These were Filemon Sotto, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, Manuel Cabahug Briones and Don Vicente Rama.
The first three were veteran politicians in the national scene. It was only Don Vicente Rama, who at that time became the first Cebuano to become Cebu City Mayor and Representative of the old 3rd Congressional District.
Since it was the first election, it was a full senatorial seat, meaning 24 have to be elected to the senate. Don Vicente Rama, in his first national election was thrilled. It was also a first to all other candidates because this time the Senators were elected at large, contrary to the elections held in 1916 up to 1934 were senators were elected by senatorial districts.
Don Vicente Rama armed only with the popularity and integrity brought by his newspaper, Bag-ong Kusog fared well in the election. Rama placed first in Bohol, he was number three in Davao Province, more importantly Cebuanos overwhelmingly supported him, Rama placed first among the 24 winning candidates in Cebu City.
In the final tally on December 5, 1941, Don Vicente Rama emerged 16th, despite being a neophyte national candidate. What is noteworthy was that Rama was not a millionaire as compared to most of the candidates but he won not with a moneyed political machinery but with honor and integrity as his weapon.
The greatness of Don Vicente Rama continues with his grandson, Atty. Michael Lopez Rama, elected in 2010 as Cebu City Mayor, reelected in 2013 and now running for reelection for today's election.
Of the four Cebuanos, it was only Don Vicente Rama and Don Mariano Jesus Cuenco who emerged victorious. Cuenco placed 5th, a grandson followed his footsteps in public service, Atty. Antonio Veloso Cuenco, a congressman for three decades, his son and great grandson of M.J. Cuenco by the name of James Anthony Roa Cuenco was elected Councilor of Cebu City South District in 2013 and now seeking for reelection.
- Latest
