Pedro Rodríguez (politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Pedro Rodríguez y Lazala (1869- October 25, 1932), also known as the Grand Old Man of Bogo, Señor Indong and Don Pedro, was a notable Filipino politician.

Don Pedro was born in 1869 in Bogo to Spanish parents José Rodríguez and Doña Vicente Lazala. His parents encouraged his education and he attended the seminary of San Carlos and proceeded to Ateneo de Manila where he graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.

Señor Indong was appointed as Municipal President of Bogo during the time of Emilio Aguinaldo in the years 1898 until 1903. In the year 1905, he went to Spain and other European states as a delegate of the Philippine Assembly. In 1907, his brother, Celestino Rodríguez became senator--deputised in the 1st district.

During his administration, he was part and given the floor at the Inauguration of Independence held at the Old Plaza in Cebu, he said: “In our world, there are two respected mountains, namely Mount Sinai and Mount Sudlong. But the Filipinos love most Mount Sudlong because on its top… is where the first Filipino Flag was raised in the skies of Cebu… where blood of our brothers spilled to fight for our mother land…” His term as Senator was very impressive; so much so that he was also included in the convention together with Don Filemon Sotto with the Nacionalista Party.

“…My beloved delegates of the convention: if it is true that this world we live in will end soon, at everyone will perish… I will be the first to rise from my grave still as a filipno carrying the flag of the Nacionalista Party… and if there is no luck in this convention, I will concede and still support this party… that is being lead by Don Sergio Osmeña…”

When the Convention convened, the proceedings that greeted him in the Sine Ideal were deafening, At this time, the meetings which took place happened for the good of the people and it was this that allowed him win at that time.

Ñor (Short for Señor) Indong served for the 10th Senatorial District where he won by a big margin over the deputized Vicente Sotto of the Demócrata Party. In the senate he did a lot of good work as a very good organizer and served for justice and good welfare. He was against what was not right for the people.

Rodríguez was considered as the man who took away the sorrows of the poor because he loved them. He gave land to the landless on an instalment basis. He lent money without interest. His life was dedicated to those who were crawling because of poverty. Ñor Indong was Roman Catholic and gave land for the churches in Bogo and Medellin.

He was married to Masay Veloso and was blessed with three children, namely, Jose V. Rodriguez, who was deputized and eventually became mayor of the town Sugbo, Amparo, and Pedring, Jr.

October 25 is a red marked day for the people of Bogo. Everybody comes together to join a parade, to show respect and remember of a well known person who placed Bogo in the map. This is the anniversary of the day of the death of Senator Pedro Rodríguez y Lazala, the hero and father of the city of Bogo.