Cornelio Villareal

Villareal was born in Mambusao, Capiz. He finished his intermediate and secondary education in Capiz, and enrolled at the Silliman University for his pre-law course.{{cite book|last=Tiempo|first=Edilberto K.|author2=Maslog, Crispin C. |author3=Sitoy, T. Valentino Jr. |title=Silliman University 1901-1976|publisher=Silliman University|year=1977|pages=96}} In 1929, he received his law degree from the Philippine Law School and passed the bar exams on December 7, 1929.

File:Honorable Cornelio Villareal (Delegates from the Philippines).jpg

Villareal's political career began in 1934, when he was elected as a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention. In 1941, Villareal won his first election as a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the Second District of Capiz. Due to the Japanese invasion in late 1941, he did not assume office until 1945.Paras & La Vina, p. 116 He was re-elected in 1946 under the banner of the Liberal Party, and served continuously until 1972. In 1951, Villareal unsuccessfully sought election to the Philippine Senate, for the seat vacated by Fernando Lopez upon the latter's election as Vice-President.

Villareal was first elected Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 5th Congress, in March 1962. During the 6th Congress, he was unseated as speaker in 1967 by Jose Laurel Jr. of the Nacionalista Party. Villareal regained the Speakership from Laurel Jr. during the 7th Congress in 1971, and served in that capacity until Congress was abolished upon the declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos in September 1972.

Villareal withdrew from politics until Congress was restored following the ouster of Marcos. At age 83, he was again elected to his congressional seat in the Second District of Capiz in 1987. He was the oldest member of the 8th Congress, while his colleague from Capiz, Gerardo "Dinggoy" Roxas, Jr., was the youngest member of Congress. Ironically, Roxas would outlive Villareal only by a few months.

Villareal did not seek re-election following the expiration of his term in June 1992.

Villareal died on December 22, 1992, almost six months after stepping down from Congress, aged 88.Paras & La Vina, pp. 116-117

During his congressional career, Villareal advocated liberal economic and trade policies such as decontrol and decentralization.Paras & La Vina, p. 116-117

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|title=The Speakers of the Philippine Legislative Branch |author=Corazon L. Paras |author2=La Vina, Dean Karlo B. |publisher=House of Representatives of the Philippines |year=1996 | isbn=971-92100-0-1}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Villareal, Cornelio T.}}

Category:1904 births

Category:1992 deaths

Category:Politicians from Capiz

Category:Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Capiz

Category:Silliman University alumni

Category:Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians

Category:20th-century Filipino lawyers

Category:Minority leaders of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

Category:Philippine Law School alumni

Category:Presidents of the Liberal Party of the Philippines

Category:Visayan people

Category:Filipino anti-communists