Eufranio Eriguel

Eufranio "Franny" Chan Eriguel, M.D. is a Filipino physician and politician from the Eriguel political clan of La Union,[1][2][3] who has served three terms as Mayor of Agoo, La Union[4] and two terms as Congressman for the Second District of La Union.[5] His wife Sandra Young Eriguel[1] currently serves as Congressman for the Second District of La Union, while his daughter Stefanie Ann Eriguel currently serves as Mayor of Agoo.[6]

Eriguel is notable for his involvement in the landmark "Land Bank of the Philippines v. Cacayuran" case,[4][5] in which the construction of a commercial building within the premises of the town plaza,[4][5] which the Philippine Supreme court later ruled to be "irregular."[4]

He later received wide media attention in 2016 he survived an alleged assassination attempt[7] during the campaign period for the 2016 General Election,[7] and later in the same year when he was included by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the local government officials and legislators allegedly involved in illegal drug trade[8] in his August 16 "I am sorry for my country" speech[9][10] - an allegation which he and other La Union politicians have denied.[11]

Early life

Eriguel completed a pre-medical course at the University of Santo Tomas, which he completed in 1979, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree (BS General / Pre-med). He completed his studies in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in 1983.

Mayor of Agoo

Eriguel became Mayor of Agoo on 1 July 1998 and held this office until 30 June 2007.[12]

Local Events During Eriguel's term

During his term as Mayor of Agoo, Eriguel was instrumental in the construction of a commercial building within the premises of the town plaza [4][5] - a redevelopment which the Philippine Supreme court later ruled to be "irregular"[4] in its landmark "Land Bank of the Philippines v. Cacayuran" ruling.[4][5][13] The decision "penalizes abusive municipal officials"[5] even beyond their terms, so it is considered a “landmark” case in Philippine Jusisprudence.[5]

Another redevelopment which took place during Eriguel's term as Mayor of Agoo was the partial conversion of the Museo de Iloko into a franchise of fastfood giant Chowking.[13] The Don Eufemio F. Eriguel Memorial National High School, named after Eriguel's father, was also established during his term.

End of Three Terms and Mayorship of Sandra Eriguel

After a nine-year tenure, he had reached the maximum term limit 30 June 2007, and could no longer run for the position mayor of Agoo.[12] Instead, he passed on the post to his wife Sandra Young Eriguel on May 15, 2008. Eriguel was then appointed as an advisor to the government of the province of La Union for municipal affairs - a post he held until June 30, 2010.[12]

Congressman for the Second District of La Union

In the elections of May 10, 2010, Eriguel was elected as a member of the House of Representatives as a candidate for the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), representing the 2nd District of La Union.[12] During his term as Congressman for the Second District of La Union, Eriguel served as chair of the House Committee on Health,[14] and was among the members of the bicameral committee that passed the Graphic Health Warning bill.[15]

Agoo-Aringay Cityhood Proposal

On June 11, 2014 Eriguel filed House Bill 4644 in an attempt to create a new city in the Second District of La Union by merging the municipalities of Agoo and Aringay.[16] Co-authored by Eriguel's allies, La Union first district Rep. Victor Ortega and Abono party-list Rep. Francisco Emmanuelle Ortega III,[16] the bill would have created the "City of Agoo-Aringay", would have two districts under a city mayor and city vice mayor along with 14 councilors in the Sangguniang Panlungsod,[16] all of which were "new" positions for which the former municipal officials could run despite having finished the terms limits of their offices.[17]

End of Term as Congressman

In 2016, Eriguel passed on his Congressional post to his wife, Sandra Young Eriguel,[18] who in turn passed on the Mayorship of Agoo, La Union to their daughter, Stefanie Ann Eriguel.[18]

Inclusion in President Duterte's August 2016 Narco-Politicians List

On August 16, 2016, Eriguel was included by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the local government officials and legislators allegedly involved in illegal drug trade[8] in his "I am sorry for my country" speech.[9][10] Eriguel and other La Union politicians denied these allegations.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Elias, Jun (26 May 2013). "La Union Politics: Eriguels Keep Posts". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Political Dynasty sa La Union Namayagpag Muli". bomboradyo.com. Bombo Radyo Philippines. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "GMA, Pacman, Imelda win; Jocjoc, Ermita, Montano losing". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2010-05-12. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Land Bank Of The Philippines, Petitioner, V. Eduardo M. Cacayuran, Respondent, Municipality Of Agoo, La Union, Intervenor., G.R. No. 191667 (2015-04-22).
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Supreme Court affirms former Agoo mayor guilty in loan scam". Northern Philippines Times. 2010-04-26. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2015-02-20.
  6. ↑ Sabado, Joanna (18 March 2016). "In La Union, more women set sights on mayoralty seats". 1 (3). Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  7. 1 2 "Binay supporter Eriguel survives attack in San Fernando, La Union". InterAksyon.com. 2016-04-30. Archived from the original on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  8. 1 2 "FULL TEXT: Duterte’s speech linking government officials to illegal drugs". The Philippine Star. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Duterte names officials linked to drugs". Rappler. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-02-09. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  10. 1 2 "FULL TRANSCRIPT: Duterte's exposé vs drug-tagged officials". ABS-CBN News. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-02-06. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  11. 1 2 "'Narco mayors': Politics behind supposed links to illegal drugs". Rappler. Archived from the original on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Profile: XXl, MD". Webpage, House of Representatives of the Philippines. House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  13. 1 2 "Newly re-elected congressman faces sins of the past". Op-Ed. The Manila Times. June 12, 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  14. ↑ Cruz, Maricel (2015-10-18). "Marijuana bill gets new boost". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  15. ↑ "Graphic health warning bill passes final reading in Congress". New Vois Association of the Philippines. 2014-06-10. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  16. 1 2 3 Lazaro, Freddie G. (2014-08-23). "Agoo-Aringay merger, mariing tinututulan". Balita. Archived from the original on 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  17. ↑ Capuno, Joseph J. (2013). "Fiscal transfers and gerrymandering under decentralization in the Philippines" (PDF). UP School of Economics Discussion Papers. 2013-4.
  18. 1 2 Online, Northbound Philippines News (2015-10-26). "Wife wants to replace husband in Congress". Northbound Philippines News Online. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
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