Cebu City Councilor Luis V. Diores, Father of Free Education

Luis was admitted to the Bar on January 25, 1952. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws at University of the Philippines (Diliman) and his Mater of Laws (Magna Cum Laude) at the University of Southern Philippines (now USPF).

He entered politics at the young age of 25 (he was born on February 15, 1926) by running for the city council. As councilor, he authored more important ordinances than any of his peers in the council. He championed the free education program in the city which earned him the title of “Father of Free Education.”

For three elections Luis was part of the councilor slate of Sergio “Serging” Chiong Veloso Osmeña Jr. In 1967 he ran under the Nacionalista Party with Atty. Francisco E.F. Remotigue as mayor and him as vice mayor.

The others in NP’s council slate were Isabelo Binamira, Suga Sotto Yuvienco, Honorato Hermosisima, Ramon Madarang, Marcelo Bontuyan, Sotero Navarro, Isaac dela Victoria, Pedro Clavano, and Francisco Maningo.

Luis was the son of Ramon Diores and Epifania Villamor. His siblings were Hilda (who married Panfilo Lastimosa), Ernesto (who married Luz Rosette), Mario (who married Felicidad Nepomoceno) and Jose. He married Vicenta “Dolly” Fernan.

The siblings of Ramon (father of Luis) were Natividad (who married Margarito delos Santos), Lourdes (who married Teodulo Podutan) and Luisa (who married Francisco Ruiz).

Ramon was the only son of Teodosia Veloso Duterte and Cornelio Diores. Teodosia was the sister of Facundo (father of Cebu City Mayor Ramon Duterte and grandfather of Mayor Ronald Duterte. The youngest child of Facundo, Vicente, who became a lawyer, Danao mayor, and Davao governor is the father of lawyer, Davao City mayor, and current president Rodrigo Duterte) and Severo (who married Felisa Ypil) who was the father of Beatriz Duterte (Danao City mayor) who married Ramon Durano (Congressman).

A sister of Teodosia by the name of Dolores married Amando Osmeña and sired the following children: Rosario (who married Hilario Toledo), Vicente, and Ramon (who married Aurelia Almendras).

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