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MR. GOOD GOVERNMENT: A BIOGRAPHY OF MELANIO T. SINGSON

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The research studies the life that Melanio T. Singson had lived. Through the aid

of various sources a narrative of his life is reconstructed. The researcher intends to

undertake the study of Melanio T. Singson’s life for the reason that unlike his

contemporaries, very little is written about him despite the fact that during his time he

was a prominent figure in Isabela not only as a politician but as a practicing lawyer as

well. This research is also done in order to immortalize his legacy as a political figure in

the province of Isabela. This research is also pursued in connection to the researcher’s

interest in his family and locality.

The research highlights and describes crucial events from his life and included

the time when he was born up to his eventual death. The data gathered is presented

chronologically, following a linear pattern that is most common among biographical

works. The biography appears as transitions, and phases or turning points, meaning

stages such as childhood, education, work/career and retirement; a process that is

characterized by a sequence of events (Torres & Antikainen, 2003: 1).

This research is not merely be a biography; rather certain events from his life are

related to local political history. In addition, through the biography of Melanio T.

Singson, we are able to unravel new dimensions and perspectives within Isabela’s

political history that are presently not available. Essentially, the research is a chronicle of

Melanio Singson’s life and also of his achievements as a politician. It includes his

origins, education, married life, career as a politician, retirement and demise. The

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research also looks into his policies and legislations, which he were able to pass during

his career as a government official, and consequently their effects on the province of

Isabela. This is done with the purpose of addressing the gaps of history, where very little

is written about the province. The study then appears as a local history of the province.

In terms of its structure, narratives, accounts and facts are arranged

chronologically.

The research made use of both primary and secondary sources that pertain to the

subject matter and that would likewise establish historically relevant aspects. Sources

include books and articles relevant to the subject matter, and oral sources derived from

interviews. In order to ensure that the gathered sources are worth using, they are

subjected to tests to determine its validity and credibility.

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The research narrates the life of Melanio T. Singson focusing largely on his

political career and accomplishments. It addresses the following questions with regard to

his political life:

How is Melanio T. Singson significant in the political history of the province of

Isabela?

1. As a politician, what are the policies and/or resolutions that Melanio T. Singson

passed during his tenure?

2. Aside from politics, what are his other involvements that are socially and

politically significant?

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RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The research aims to:

1. Account and describe the life that Melanio T. Singson lived with a large emphasis

on his political life and significance to the political history of Isabela.

2. Identify policies and or resolutions passed by Melanio T. Singson.

3. Identify his other involvements that have political significance to the province.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The life of Melanio T. Singson is closely intertwined with the kind of politics

Isabela had during his time. Thus, it is inevitable to tackle the political history of the

province. In doing so, the research identified particular “turning-points” in his life and

likewise to look at his impact and significance to the province of Isabela vis-à-vis his

accomplishments as a public servant. This study is pioneering for the reason that very

little or none at all is written about the province’s political history nor about the life that

Melanio T. Singson has lived. Also, the research is done to make an original contribution

to the study of history such that the study will try to unravel other dimensions of history,

by looking at local history with reference to an individual’s life.

Local history would provide a venue for a record of a meaningful past and would

constitute a reservoir of data from local data and memories of events and realities (Tan,

1998: 23). Likewise, local history can provide a perspective that would come from a

localized and community based point of view (Tan, 1998:23). The study is significant in

addressing the so-called “imbalance” in history. The nature by which our national history

is written is Manila-centric and is focused on national political history and as a result, it

has gaps and omissions that concern local history (Apilado, 1999: 93).

By pursuing the research, the researcher is able to give the man a voice which

remains unheard and likewise to make his story be known to the generations of

Isabelinos. Biography is after all done to “give notice to those who may otherwise not be

allowed to tell their story or who are denied a voice to speak” (Bertaux as cited in

Denzin, 1989: 82). In addition to this, the research also dwelt on people’s

reactions/comment/assessment to his performance as a public servant and whether he was

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responsive to the needs of his people. Moreover, it also included the issues he confronted

not only as a politician but also as an ordinary man.

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SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study only covers crucial events in the life of Melanio T. Singson. The time

frame encompassed the years from 1914, when he was born, to 1992 when he died.

Primary and secondary sources are used such as documents, newspaper clippings, articles

and other available printed sources. In addition, the researcher utilized key-informant

interview. Respondents are members of his family, friends, peers, and colleagues. In

addition to this, public documents such as birth certificate, death certificate, and marriage

certificate are also used, in order to ensure the validity of dates. Laws, bills and

resolutions passed by the subject during his tenure as a public servant are to be utilized as

sources of data with regard to the political aspect of the subject’s life. Due to the scarcity

of written sources with regard to the history of Isabela, the researcher utilized electronic

sources.

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Related literature in constructing biographies include a discussion of three

important themes. First, works of Norman Denzin in Interpretative Biography and W.S.

Lewis’ The Difficult Art of Biography are looked at in the construction and definition of

biography. Second, for the importance of biography as a field of inquiry, works such as

that of Teodoro Agoncillo’s Imagination in History, B. DeVoto’s The Skeptical

Biographer, U. Apitzsch and I. Siouti’s Biographical Analysis as an Interdisciplinary

Research Perspective in the Field of Migration Studies, C.A. Torres and A. Antikainen’s

The International Handbook on the Sociology of Education and Lois Banner’s Biography

as History are analyzed. Lastly, for the methodology involved in the construction of

biographies, articles of L. Edel’s The Subject Matter of Biography, Art of Biography of

Virginia Woolf, Teodoro Agoncillo’s Objectivity and Impartiality, B. Roberts’

Biographical Research and I. Origo’s Biography True or False are studied. It is

important to discuss such themes for it served as an aid to the researcher in the necessary

information in writing and doing biographical research.

Biography according to Sir Harold Nicolson is “the history of the lives of

individual men as a branch of history” (Lewis in Davenport & Siegel, 1965: 60). It is

history for the reason that it must accurately describe a person in relation to his times

(Lewis in Davenport & Siegel, 1965: 60). Likewise, it is or should be “a completion of

life, giving a shape and significance to the humblest, most pedestrian existence, as every

individual life is the story of everyman” (Origo in Lewis, 1965: 378). Given this, the

biographical method included the use and collection of life documents. It describes

“turning-points” in an individual’s life from birth until death following a linear pattern

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(Plummer in Denzin, 1989:7). As such, a biography intends to use and collect life

documents, stories, accounts and narratives which depict important events in the

individual’s life (Denzin, 1989.13).

There are two kinds of doing a biographical research, first is an autobiography,

life story or life history, which is written in the first person and second is a biography,

which is written by another person (Denzin. 1989: 9; 13). The research will undertake the

crafting of biography of Melanio T. Singson and at the same time the political history of

Isabela during that time.

Generally, a biography is a historical account of the important events of the lives

of an individual in relation to the general history of the locality. Specifically, in this

research, the author reconstructs the life of Melanio T. Singson and his importance and

relevance to the political history of Isabela during his time.

Why do we read biographies? According to Bernard de Voto, it is for the reason

to “know the truth about its subject.” In writing biographies on the other hand, a person

“wants to know how this particular person was entangled with the world, what the

conditions of his life were, what they did to him, how he dealt with destiny, what he

overcame, what overcame him” (De Voto in Lewis, 1965: 280). Biography is a complex

web of intricacies that demands facts, illusion is not needed- reality is wanted (De Voto

in Lewis, 1965: 280-281). In cases when facts and evidence are limited, the historian

results to historical imagination to fill in the gaps that are left out by the sources. With the

nature of biographical works where evidence can be meager at times, historical

imagination is necessary as long as it is permitted by the sources. Interpretation being an

aspect of imagination is relevant to the re-creation of the past (Agoncillo, 2001: 1-3).

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Through imagination and interpretation one is able to give life to history by completely

depicting what some of the sources and evidence did not mention. Celedonio Resureccion

also added that “The student who desires to achieve must continually keep on reading and

reflecting, examining documents and philosophizing, reviewing and reinterpreting events.

For such is the substance of history-interpretation. That is why history is viewed in

different light by different periods; that is why history as interpretation is always

contemporary and subjective” (Resurrecion, 2001: 15-16).

Historians see biography as inferior, for the reason that it only dwells on a

singular life; and that it is humanistic in approach rather than scientific or sociological

(Banner, 2009: 580). Liking biography to history, Banner mentioned that:

At its, best biography, like history, is based on archival research, interweaves historical categories and methodologies, reflects current political and theoretical concerns, and raises complex issues of truth and proof. It challenges the analyst to move beyond easy platitudes in what Clifford Geertz famously called “thick description.” Moreover, given the long tradition among biographers to write accessible prose, biography challenges the historian to produce lucid writing- not always the standard among academic scholars (Banner:2009, 580).

In turn, history and biography share common traits such as both are rigorous tasks

which require sources that are needed to verify its accuracy and validity. Verification

requires various tools to examine documents such as triangulation, internal and external

criticism, and the like. Biography and history are not mere narrations; rather, imagination

and creativity are needed in writing so as to entice readers and so as not too, appear

merely writing and stating facts or events that have occurred in the past. Historical

imagination is needed, to write history is make your readers feel in touch with the events,

to make these things come to life through text.

Also by studying an individual’s life, one might study the story of a particular

place as a way of understanding social and cultural phenomena (Banner, 2009: 582).

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Through construction of the life of an individual, linking the individual to society and

institution, and likewise analyze these in the socio-cultural context of biography becomes

possible. This is so because part of the purpose of a biographical analysis is not only “the

reconstruction of intentionality, which is represented as an individual’s life course, but

the embeddedness of the biographical account in social macro structures” (in Apitzch &

Siouti, 2007:7). With this, it is evident that in the reconstruction of the life of an

individual, it is not only the important events in his life that are narrated but also the

context that the individual is embedded in.

Historians and biographers both dwell in investigation and seek confluences and

patterns. Like history, doing biography deals with temporal clusters which move along

time and space. In terms of doing a biographical work, one proves and disproves and

employ various tools and methods of investigation to unearth facts and truths.

No less than historians in general, biographers are detectives and interpreters, attempting to illuminate the past and to interweave its threads in new and compelling patterns. A life deeply lived, like any complex historical narrative, moves across, space, time and areas of human involvement both capriciously and predictably, validating certain accepted historical constructions while challenging others. Understanding a life may require that a biographer retrain innew kinds of historical investigation such as oral history- to interview friends, relatives, and associates of the biographical subject- or psychohistory- to probe underlying motivations (Banner: 2009: 582).

“New biographies,” particularly the life-cycle theory deals with the existence of

life stages which one passes through that is determined by aging and culture (Banner,

2009: 581). Likewise it also emphasizes the power of culture where it has the ability to

shape an individual’s personality. Personalities are scripted by culture wherein

individuals can internalize the role or rebel against it, which therefore leads us to say that

the “self” is a text while the larger culture is the “context.” Both influence the other as the

individual can also influence culture and likewise the development of history (Banner:

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2009, 581-582). These “new biographies” can be used to depict the overall political

landscape or the culture of politics during the time of Melanio T. Singson.

In addition, it is also important to note that biographical research is relevant

because it is one of the primary methods in making the voices of those previously

unheard, heard. This is because biographical research is characterized to “provide the

silenced with a voice” (Torres & Antikainen, 2003:4). The most prominent study

concerning biographical research was conducted by the Chicago School which utilized a

variety of methods such as “observation, personal documents and informal interviews”

(Torres & Antikainen, 2003:4), which was pioneered by Thomas and Znaniecki in their

study The Polish Peasant. Life history as a study offers insights of individual lives that

reveal “new perspectives on the culture as a whole which are not accessible” (Torres &

Antikainen, 2003:4). With this, through the construction of the biography of Melanio T.

Singson, the life and story of an important figure of the history of Isabela is given light,

linked and embedded into the history of Isabela.

In relation to its methodology, several issues are also faced in constructing a

biography. Biographical research or the ‘study of lives’ has been accepted as a field of

inquiry in history as the said field experienced a paradigm shift from largely being

positivist towards the Annales school of thought. Although this is the case, in terms of

reliability and validity biographical research has been alleged as inadequate. Questions

arise with regard to “the adequacy or quality of accounts or, putting it rather differently,

how far life story research should follow the methodological standards of quantitative

research or apply its own qualitative principles” (Roberts, 2002:6). The researcher must

“set down everything he can find out” (Origo in Lewis, 1965: 370). This means that in

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doing biographical research, the reliability of the data presented often relies on the

objectivity of the researcher.

Objectivity in history is quite problematic, most especially in doing biographical

research. Since this research reconstructed the biography of the author’s grandfather, it is

important to look at how objectivity may be achieved in doing research in history.

According to Agoncillo, history is not objective due to man’s nature. Given

his/her prejudice, bias, desires, passions and emotions that may taint historical writing.

Instead, impartiality should be used by historians. According to Agoncillo impartiality is

hard to achieve namely because of “(a) prejudices vary from person to person and (b)

factors, such as personal relationship, moral sensibilities, and the like, exert a strong

influence on the historian such as his desire to be fair is overwhelmed and is replaced by

what I may call historical blindness” (Agoncillo, 2001: 41). Therefore, impartiality may

be obtained by the study of multiple aspects of a certain historical source or subject and

the careful evaluation of it. Impartiality may aid a historian in terms of writing and

interpreting, wherein by virtue of impartiality and critical thinking aided with the

judicious use of data and cross-referencing; one may obtain historical truths from sources

that are questionable (Agoncillo, 2001: 41). Included in this, doing a, “biography

demands study, accuracy, insight and artistry as biography’s power and responsibility are

immense” (Lewis in Davenport & Siegel, 1965: 65). Like history, the process by which

we construct biographies requires validity and accuracy of data gathered and the research

itself. In writing biographies, the biographer “may be as imaginative as he pleases,” on

the other hand his sources or references should not be imagined (Edel in Davenport &

Siegel, 1965: 117). The biographer must also study his sources, and judge them if they

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are valid and credible (Edel in Davenport & Siegel, 1965: 117). In writing a biography,

one must take note that he is not writing the life of his subject, rather he is rewriting it

(Edel in Davenport & Siegel, 1965: 117). The biographer has the ability to select and

relate when it comes to sources, also he must strictly keep himself in the world of facts,

which are subject to the processes of authentication and verification (Woolf in Lewis,

1965: 167). Biography entails fact finding that requires accuracy (De Voto in Lewis,

1965: 288). Facts that are in the biography are not merely subject to the biographer but

are to be verified also by others. According to Virginia Woolf these facts are not like the

facts of science, “they are subject to changes of opinion; opinions change as the times

change.” Moreover, it utilizes various streams of sources and investigative methods such

as:

Certificates of birth and death, genealogies, photostats of deeds, letters-letters filled with rationalizations and subterfuges, exaggerations, wishful thinking, deliberate falsehoods, elaborate politenesses- and then, testimonials photographs, manuscripts, diaries, notebooks, bank checks, newspaper clippings (Edel in Davenport, 1965: 123).

Therefore, to ensure that there is impartiality in constructing a biography, the historian

needs to have a critical mind especially when faced with the information that sources

might present. According to Roberts, “meanings given to the social world by individuals

require rather different criteria, truth and other related epistemological issues can be seen

in ways that go beyond the standardized notions of reliability, validity and

generalizability” (2002: 6). As alternatives, writers have utilized other forms of

measurement such as authenticity, credibility, coherence and the like (Roberts, 2002: 6).

A biographer must doubt everything; he must scrutinize his data and conclusions and

subject them to analysis and verification so as to reveal flaws and gaps (De Voto in

Lewis, 1965: 290). The biographer does not need to dramatize the research rather, his

only goal is to discover evidence and analyze them (De Voto in Lewis, 1965: 290).

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Aside from impartiality, it is also important to look at issues concerned with the

reliability of interviews. In conducting interviews, Silverman warned that in

contemporary studies, the experience or experiential is romanticized as the truth/authentic

(Roberts, 2002:6). In addition, Silverman said that interviews should be regarded as part

of the explanation and not as the one to be relied upon (Roberts, 2002:6). This means that

the researcher should not only be critical of what the interviewee presents but also look at

the information and cross check and validate this with other interviews and other sources.

Given what these related literatures are saying with regard to the methodology in

constructing a biography, the researcher employed such methods. In terms of data

collection, the researcher utilized various sources primarily printed sources that give vital

information on the subject. These sources come in the form of newspaper and magazine

clippings, articles, transcription of campaign bulletins, public and public documents,

reports, family documents, personal sources, and the like.

In addition, the researcher also employed key-informant interview technique.

This technique is necessary for the reason it serves as a supplement to the printed sources.

Moreover, insights such as personal recollections and the like that are not found in other

materials can be extracted. Through key-informant interview, the researcher can collect

first hand information from Melanio T. Singson’s family and constituents of Isabela

when he was a public servant. The researcher conducted a face-to-face interview and/or

phone interview.

Participants of the research are purposively selected, and derived from Melanio

T. Singson’s family, relatives, friends and associates in the past. This is done so as to

ensure that the events from not only his political life but his personal life as well may be

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most accurate. Questions and inquiries focuses on the subject’s personal life and long

term legacy to the people of Isabela. Research sites are likewise purposively selected;

interviews are conducted at the comfort of the participants’ homes; several measures are

also undertaken so as to not disrupt or intrude on the physical setting and the participant’s

activities. An informed consent form is presented to prospective participants to read and

signed before they participate with the research. This assures the participants rights are be

protected during the process of data collection (Creswell: 2009, 89). This research

technique is necessary so as to ask in-depth questions with regard to the subject matter.

Ethical issues such as the researcher’s role to protect the privacy of the

participants are taken into consideration in the research (Creswell: 2009, 87). It is the

researcher’s responsibility to promote the integrity of the study and to safeguard against

misconduct (Creswell: 2009, 87). Participants were also given the right to retain

ownership of their voices. In order for them to have the freedom to exercise

independence in making decisions, they were also informed of the risks of non-

confidentiality where their names might be included in the reports of the study (Creswell:

2009, 90). The purpose of the study and the true nature and intention of the study were

fully disclosed to the participants.

Multiple data collection procedures were employed in the study. As mentioned

earlier the researcher made use of key-informant interviews, either face-to- face or

interviews by phone. This is beneficial for the research for the reason that it allowed the

researcher to have control over the process of inquiry and also to directly observe the

participants actions (Creswell, 2009: 179). Interviews are unstructured or semi-structured

using previously constructed questions. Questions appeared as open-ended, with the

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purpose of eliciting opinions and views from the participants (Creswell, 2009: 181). By

doing open-ended questions, the researcher was therefore able to elicit opinions and

insights from participants that served as basis for further inquiry and also made the

conversation friendly and nonthreatening (Yin: 2003, 90). Interviews here appeared as

“guided conversations rather than structured queries (Yin: 2003, 89).” The manner which

the interview conducted seemed fluid but at the same time consistent in pursuing inquiry

(Yin: 2003, 89).

The gathered sources are subject to test and measures of credibility and

authenticity so as to make sure that the researcher was able to obtain accurate

information. All sources used in this research are subjected to triangulation such that the

validity, authenticity and accuracy of the data are ensured. Patterns and themes inevitably

emerged from the information shared by the participants and those gathered from printed

sources.

The researcher collected qualitative documents such as newspaper clippings,

articles, public and private documents, surveys, reports and family documents that are

relevant to the research. This data collection method is deemed necessary as it is an

unobtrusive source and it is convenient for the researcher as he is able to access the

sources in any given time (Creswell, 2009: 180). It also eases the researcher’s job of

transcribing given that these sources are written or printed, thus saving time and expenses

(Creswell, 2009: 180). But, before considering documentations such as those mentioned

above as sources, the researcher is wary of considering them as literal recordings of

events, as some may have been deliberately edited (Yin, 2003: 87). Audiovisual materials

such as photographs are used as possible sources. Like documents they are unobtrusive,

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accessible and can be interpreted. Data, once analyzed can be then kept for at least 3-5

years; beyond which the researcher can therefore discard.

Historical criticism is also employed, to further investigate the origins of the texts

and to arrive at the true nature of events. Data from the previously mentioned sources are

synthesized in such a way that they all point toward the same conclusions. Thick

description is also another method that is used, where “detailed descriptions are made and

provide many perspectives about a theme, the results become more realistic and richer”

(Creswall, 2009: 192).

Bias will inevitably come up in the research, for the reason that the researcher is

related to the subject of the study. Thus, biases are balanced through the use of the

sources gathered as mentioned above. Using these sources and data gathered,

triangulation is used for verification of information. Given this, the interpretation of the

subject is not solely from the researcher but is also derived from what the different

sources are saying.

With this, the biography of Melanio T. Singson does not aim to reconstruct the

general history of Isabela or the history of important figures of the province but rather to

show how this person lived his life as a particular figure in Isabela during his time.

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METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Biography, as a genre and a research method, according to Janet Miller “involves

not only gathering data about a specific individual, but also interpreting these data in

order to create a representation or portrayal of particular aspects of the subject’s life and

times” (Miller, 2008: 61). In relation to this, the research is in narrative form, whereas the

participant’s stories will be retold using “structural devices; such as plot, activities and

denouement” (Creswall, 2009: 176). Using these devices, the researcher came up with

the needed data in reconstructing the life of Melanio T. Singson. In addition, the research

attempts to be holistic whereas his political career and personal life are discussed. In

doing so, the life of Melanio T. Singson and his relevance to the political history of

Isabela is given light in this paper.

In reconstructing the life of Melanio T. Singson, as mentioned earlier, the

researcher used different print sources coupled with key-informant interviews. The use of

key-informant interviews as a form of oral history shed light to matters that written

history lacked.

Oral history according to Julia Chaitin “has been used as a way of passing down

memories of the past for centuries and of sharing memories across cultures, predating

written history” (Chaitin, 2008: 583). It has been used as an alternative to more

conventional methods such as written history and also as a tool to gather first-hand

information and accounts from the past. Oral history is deemed necessary because it

enables “people to share their stories in their own words, with their own voices, through

their own understanding of what happened and why” (www.Baylor.edu, 2012: 2).

The use of oral history as a methodology makes use of open-ended questions

which are people- and experience-centric. Given this, the flow of the conversation

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depends or is directed by the interviewee, which can yield to further information and

insights on the topic. With this method, the researcher can elicit memories and

experiences from the interviewee (Chaitin, 2008: 584) that can further make the research

more meaningful and insightful. Oral history being subjective, allows the interviewee to

participate in the construction of knowledge. Through oral history, the interviewee

possesses the ability to “interpret and analyze their personal experiences through their

own points of view and in their own words” (www.Baylor.edu, 2012: 2).

Oral history supplements and fills in the gaps of recorded history and it can

likewise provide voices to the unheard. Moreover, it gives further understanding of

history where it is experienced and individualized. In addition, it can also tell us what has

changed and what has remained through time (www.Baylor.edu, 2012: 2).

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DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS PLAN

The data presented in the research is constructed and periodized following the

linear model of biography and likewise following the life course-stages of Norman

Denzin which is divided into four temporal clusters, namely: childhood, adolescence,

early adulthood, and old age. Modifications may be made in the clustering of events as

the need arises.

The research is in narrative form, whereas the participant’s stories are retold using

“structural devices; such as plot, activities and denouement” (Creswall, 2009: 176). It

employed interpretive inquiry in interpreting what the researcher heard and understood

(Creswall, 2009: 176). In addition, the research aims to be holistic where factors that play

a part in a particular situation are identified and thoroughly investigated so as to better

understand the larger picture at hand.

The research uncovers “the social, economic, cultural, structural, and historical

forces that shape, distant and otherwise alter problematic lived experiences” (Bertaux in

Denzin, 1989: 4). Also, it addresses the dynamics of history and biography, particularly

identity and internalization. In addition, it also purports to look into the structural

processes that shaped the subject and identified the unique and general features of life

and extract meanings from it.

Time-series analysis is also used so as to show in chronology the course of events.

Time-series analysis can also be used particularly in addressing the proposition of a law,

such as the case of this research which will try to identify the effects of the laws

legislated by Melanio T. Singson during his tenure as a lawmaker and politician. By

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employing such method, the patterns of events are unraveled. Trends and indicators are

brought to light and examined. The effects of such laws to the province are also observed.

Chronology, a form of time-series analysis allows the researcher to “trace events

over time” (Yin: 2003, 125). The method can therefore yield important analytic purposes

such as the identification of cause and effect. Also, it can cover a broad range of variables

(Yin: 2003, 126). It “can be richer and more insightful than general time-series

approaches” (Yin: 2003, 126). The method’s strength lies in answering “how” and

“why” questions about the relationship of events, that is not strictly limited to observing

time trends by itself (Yin: 2003, 126-127). In employing such method, the researcher is

aided in reading and interpreting the policies that Melanio T. Singson made and his

legacy in the said province as a public servant.

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THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA

GEOGRAPHY

Isabela is the second largest province in the country. It is situated in the

northeastern part of Luzon and bounded by the province of Cagayan in the north; Nueva

Vizcaya, Aurora and Quirino in the south; Kalinga, Apayao, Mt. Province and Ifugao in

the west; and the Pacific Ocean in the east. The province is considered as the “Queen

Province of the North,” due to its comparatively large land area and population. It is

comprised of 35 municipalities and 2 cities. Isabela’s land area is 1,066,456 hectares

(10,664.56 sq. kilometers) which comprises 39.73 percent of Cagayan Valley’s regional

territory (www.Isabela.ph).

The province is divided into three physiographical areas, namely: Eastern Isabela,

Coastal Isabela and Western Isabela. Eastern Isabela is characterized by heavily forested

areas and rugged terrain. This portion of the province contains a variety of wildlife and is

considered as the eighth in biodiversity in the world. Likewise, it is where the Sierra

Madre Mountain range is found which spans across the province from north to south

Coastal Isabela is notable for its coastline which spans 113 kilometers along the Pacific

Ocean. It is blessed with bountiful natural wonders such as islands, white sand beaches,

bays, caves, and rich fishing grounds. Western Isabela on the other hand is known for its

vast valley and flatlands for agriculture. It is situated at the foothills of the Sierra Madre

and Cordillera. Moreover, the area is divided by geophysical bodies such as smaller

valleys, plains, rivers, and rivulets. Among these, the Cagayan River is the most

noteworthy as it is the longest river in the country (www.Isabela.ph)

24

HISTORY

In May 1, 1856 by virtue of a royal decree the Province of Isabela was created in

order to facilitate the evangelization in the region. The province was named after Queen

Isabela II of Spain (Isabela.ph).

However, settlement and colonization of the province began as early as 1596 or

31 years after Miguel de Legazpi established Spanish settlements in Cebu, when it was

still part of the provinces of Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya (Borja, 1967: 19). Encomiendas

were established in Pilitan, a barrio in Ilagan and in Furao, a barrio of Gamu (Borja,

1967: 19). Some towns were established by Spanish friars such as Fr. Pedro de Sto.

Tomas who founded San Pablo and Fr. Pedro Jimenez who founded Ilagan, Gamu, and

Itugud now known as Reina Mercedes (Borja, 1967:19). Some remnants of the Spanish

past still remain such as the Parish Church of St. Mathias (Tumauini) built in 1753, Our

Lady of Atocha Church (Alicia) built in 1805, San Pablo Church (San Pablo) built in

1624 and St. Rose de Lima Church (Gamu) built in 1726 (www.Flyphilippines.com).

The province is home to a multitude of cultures. Originally, the province was

inhabited by several ethnolinguistic groups such as the Ibanags, Gaddang,

Aetas/Dumagats, Irrayas and Kalingas. By the late 19th and 20th centuries, a wave of

immigration began which brought the Ilocanos from the north in huge numbers. As a

result, the Ilocanos are now presently the largest ethnic group of the province

(www.Flyphilippines.com).

Due to its geographic location, the revolt against Spain came late in the province.

The revolution only reached the province when Col. Daniel Tirona occupied certain

25

portions of the province and other parts of northeastern Luzon; hence, it finally became

under the control of the revolutionary government in August 1898 (Borja, 1967:19).

In our recorded history the province is also known as the place where General

Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by the American forces led by General Frederick Funston

on May 23, 1901. His capture marked the end of the Philippine-American War.

A civil government was established in the province by virtue of Act, No. 210

passed on August 23, 1901. During the American occupation, schools and other buildings

were established. Likewise, reforms were instituted such as those that concerned the

political system (ww.Isabela.ph). The first elections in the province were held on

February 5, 1907 (Borja, 1967: 19).

The Japanese Imperial Forces occupied the province in 1942 shortly after the

country was laid under siege. The Second World War brought economic stagnation to the

province (ww.Isabela.ph). During the latter part of the war, it was by chance that the

Japanese who were digging tunnels stumbled upon archaeological artifacts in Ilagan

(Borja, 1967: 18). Artifacts found were stone axes, adzes, chisels and polished beads that

were of Early Neolithic Period (Borja, 196: 18).The liberation of Isabela came with the

arrival of the Philippine Commonwealth Troops and guerillas in 1945 (www.Isabela.ph).

26

EARLY LIFE

Melanio “Mel” T. Singson was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on August 2, 1914. His

parents were Florencio Singson and Maurcia Tangco, both natives of Vigan. He was the

youngest among the four children. According to his daughter Aurora S. Tabangay, Mel’s

parents were industrious merchants who sold dry goods. Because of hard work, they were

able to raise four children and send them to school. The three became lawyers, including

Melanio, and one became a teacher. Melanio was orphaned at an early age. His father

died when he was four years old and his mother passed away when he was in fourth year

high school. In an interview, Mel stated that “his mother was God-loving disciplinarian

with whom he prayed the bead every night without fail, but she was the greatest single

influence in his life- she etched in his heart a sense of honor and integrity that would be

his trademark as a politician and as a cabinet member” (Flores, 1986).

He attended elementary at Colegio Seminario in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; high school at

Ilocos Sur High School where he graduated as the salutatorian; U.P. Junior College in

Vigan where he obtained his A.A. (Associate in Arts, a two year preparatory degree for

law); and U.P. College of Law in Diliman.

In his days at UP Junior College he served as the editor-in-chief of the

NORLUZONIAN a college paper in the university (Borja, 1967: 20). While at the UP

Law School he was also an active student. He won the Quezon Gold Medal for

excellence in oratory and editorial writing contest of the UP Collegian. He eventually

became the technical editor of the newspaper and later on a member of the College

Editor’s Guild. He also joined UP Literary Club, Oratorical and Debate Club. He was

also an ROTC captain and he received the Efficiency Award (Weekly Nation, 1971: 20).

27

He graduated among the top 15 of his class in 1940. Next, he took the bar examination

and successfully passed with an average of 87.75%.

He was also classmate to former President Marcos in several law subjects (Borja,

1967: 21). In an interview with Mel’s daughter it was also said that the former President

was indeed a close friend, as the former President would stay in Melanio’s Vigan home

before going home to Batac.

During his early years in studying, his expenses were shouldered by his elder

brother and sister, Vicente and Francisca who are also lawyers themselves (Borja, 1967:

20). Due to financial problems he had to stop his schooling at the UP Junior College. In

order to support himself through college he landed a job and became a messenger to the

General Auditing Office (GAO) (Borja, 1967: 20). Eventually he was promoted to clerk

and then audit clerk-cash examiner, which he held until he completed his law studies

(Borja, 1967: 20). Mel’s work in the GAO included delivering inter-office memos and

sometimes buying cigarettes for his bosses (Weekly Nation, 1971: 20).

In wartime years, he served in provincial management and administration as

secretary to Isabela Governor Lino Castillejo under the Japanese controlled government

(Borja, 1967: 21). But, as the war ravaged the country and neared its end, Mel suffered

yet another death in his family. His elder sister Francisca, who was then working for the

Bureau of Public Welfare, was accidentally hit by American aerial attacks launched

during the war (Borja, 1967: 21).

28

FROM ILOCOS TO ISABELA

According to the interview with Aurora, Melanio migrated to Isabela upon the

insistence of his brother Vicente who in 1941, had assumed a position in Bayombong,

Nueva Vizcaya and was married to a woman from Santiago, Isabela. In addition to this

according to Dylan Borja’s article, “The Obsession of Melanio Singson,” his brother, the

justice of the peace (Municipal Fiscal) in the said town, advised him to go and have his

law practice in Ilagan, Isabela where lawyers were rare.

While in Isabela he had to deal with problems and difficulties of being a new

lawyer. He was an ordinary lawyer who had nobody to provide the much-needed help to

boost his popularity (Borja, 1967: 21). In addition, Mel reportedly said that those were

the trying times of his life. Through his perseverance and skill in the field of law, he was

eventually dubbed as Abogado de Campanilla, which loosely meant a well-known and

respected lawyer. His profession opened an opportunity that brought him closer to the

people of Isabela.

An acclaimed lawyer, Mel was compassionate to his poor clients; his daughter

recalled:

Pag pobre ang kliyente niya, one time nakaharap pa nga ako, bukod sa pinakain niya na ng hapunan sa bahay, tinanggihan pa niya yung bayad nung kliyente na nag-aabot nang singkwenta pesos, sabi niya ‘hindi na mas kailangan mo yan.

Apart from being a lawyer, it was also in Isabela where he finally settled and

started a family. Melanio Singson met his future wife through his sister-in-law who

hailed from the same town in Santiago, Isabela. Dolores Bersamin, during that time was a

senior high school at St. Mary’s College in Bayombong. Aurora added that her Uncle

Vicente often visited her grandparents and it was through him that Mel’s marriage to

29

Dolores was arranged. Dolores hailed from Villasis, Pangasinan and Bangued, Abra. Her

father served as Governor of Isabela during the Japanese Occupation.

Their marriage wase blessed with 10 children: Maria Lourdes now (Mrs. Bahia),

Melanio Jr., Aurora (now Mrs. Tabangay), Alicia (now Mrs. Felismino), Alfonso, Tomas,

Socorro (now Mrs. Bulan), Victor, Florencio and Benjamin. Life was hard back then

especially with the number of children they had and him being the only one working to

feed the family. Aurora recalled her mother was crying when she was washing their

clothes as she was not used to doing household chores. Her father consoled her mother

and promised that soon enough, their life would be better. The time would when other

people would do household chores for her. She added that:

True to his words, because of his industry he was able to improve our lives, as we used to live behind the old public market and by 1959 we moved to this place” [a compound located at M. Singson, Avenue, Calamagui 2nd, Ilagan, Isabela which contains 7 houses occupied by his wife, children and their families].

Residing permanently in Ilagan, Isabela, President Roxas appointed him as

assistant provincial fiscal of Isabela, a position he held until 1951 and resigned from

when he ran as governor of the province for the first time but unfortunately lost (Borja,

1967: 21).

30

THE FAMILY MAN

Mel was unfailingly dedicated to his family: a devoted provider, a loving husband

and doting father to his wife and ten children. According to his daughter he was a strict

disciplinarian.

At 6 o’clock if you are not yet in the house, otherwise you know what comes next, apart from discipline, cleanliness was important not only physically but spiritually.” [Moreover], “during meals, he is conscious of table manners. Lahat ng utensils [must be] properly used, tahimik kami pag kasama namin siyang kumakain.Kung ayaw mong kumain ng gulay he’d put it on your plate so you’d eat vegetables. You are obliged to eat that kung hindi, hindi ka niya papatayuin.

Mel also emphasized humility. His daughter relates that her father once said:

There is only one governor in this house and that is me and you have no privilege [as a Governor’s child], ganun kami pinalaki noon na hindi kami conscious na daddy was occupying a high position that we were nothing, although he was somebody we are not in equal footing we were not allowed to use his official car unless we were with him, we had a car that we normally used but never his official car not even my mommy[can use it without him] and never did my mommy go to his office for anything, except during programs when her presence was needed.

Aurora also recalls that immediately after graduating in the year 1969, she was

one of those fortunate enough to be selected for a scholarshop abroad. Senator Aquino

was the sponsor of the five chosen Filipino scholars who would be sent to Russia. Despite

her hesitation for she wanted to take law, she still went. She shares:

I really didn’t want to go. Mga anak rin ng mga congressman [ang] kasama ko. Sila Barbero, Lapuz. Lima kaming napili. Ang inayawan ko talaga kaya bumalik ako rito [ay] sila lahat naka diplomatic passport, ako lang ang ordinary. Ayaw ni daddy [kahit] pe-pwede rin sana ako. Ako dun sa likod sila sa first class. He wanted to put everything in order yung tama lang, hindi ako nagtagal.

As a provider, Mel was able to send his children to the best schools, such as the

University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, San

Beda College, Claret School of Quezon City, Far Eastern University, Philippine School

for Business Administration and Saint Louis University. His daughter adds:

He was the best (provider) because he provided for all of us, he was considerate.”[Furthermore,during high school, his daughter recounts that] “stockholder si daddy diyan (Saint Ferdinand College). Ina-apply niya yung dividends niya noon sa tution fee naming. Apart from providing our needs hindi mo masasabing may pagkukulang, kasi binigay niya lahat nang kaya niyang ibigaywhether it was a pair of shoes kasi sa dami naming, kung bibilhan ang isa, bibilhan ang lahat

31

Mel was a very dominant person as his daughter relates. But there were times

when he and his wife would bicker, he would leave the bed and would call his daughter

to help him lay a mattress on the floor. She also notes that it was her mother who was his

weakness and he was sensitive to the things his wife said which shows a glimpse of his

human side.

As of now Dolores, his widow is aged 82. His children have their own lives and

families already: Maria Lourdes is a retired school teacher; Melanio Jr., a retired LTO

employee; Aurora, a businesswoman; Alicia, a retired doctor; Alfonso, a practicing

lawyer and a legal officer of the municipality of Ilagan; Tomas, a municipal councilor in

the town of Ilagan; Socorro, a retired nurse; Victor, manager of Isabela Electric

Cooperative Benito Soliven branch; Florencio, a practicing lawyer and Benjamin, a

government employee.

32

POLITICAL CAREER

AS GOVERNOR

In 1951 Mel Singson first ran for governor with the hopes of serving his adoptive

province. Sadly, he lost by 200 votes and since then, he tried to avoid politics. He focused

his effort on his practice of the legal profession (Ealdama, n.d.: 29). But then again, the

call of politics was too strong for him to resist. Friends and fellow party men tried to

convince him to run again for the gubernatorial seat in the 1959 elections. He was at first

apprehensive and took a passive stand but was finally convinced by Diosdado Macapagal

who was at that time the Vice President and a presidential contender. Macapagal “sought

and prevailed him to make another bid for the governorship” (Borja, 1967: 21). This

time, he was able to win the seat, leading his rival by 1000 votes. He served his first term

as governor from 1960 to 1962 and ran for reelection in 1963. He won over his rival by

20,000 votes which was unprecedented in Isabela’s political history (Ealdama, n.d.:29

and Dacanay, 1966).

Mel, hailed from a prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Singsons, was

simply living up to the family tradition of engaging in politics. Way back in the 1800’s,

the Singsons held the position of gobernadorcillo of the gremio de mestizos for five

terms. This is the present counterpart of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and

Industry (Chavitsingson.net). Being able to hold the post of gobernadorcillo meant great

prestige and likewise meant that they were part of Vigan’s crème de la crème society

(Chavitsingson.net). Moreover with family members such as the late Don Vicente

Singson Encarnacion, a former provincial fiscal of Ilocos Sur, congressman, senator and

cabinet member, “he was able to administer Isabela’s affairs in the proper spirit of the

33

sincere and dedicated public servant” (Dacanay, 1966). This vision of how a public

servant should be is what Mel Singson used as a guiding principle of how Isabela’s

politics should be managed.

GOVERNANCE

Mel “lamented the fact that some public officials and a growing number of

private citizens had developed a mentality which subscribes to the belief that a public

official is stupid indeed if he cannot enrich himself while in office” (Bulletin, 1962). In

response to this, he and his colleagues in the administration and through President

Macapagal’s campaign for moral regeneration, they were able to achieve an honest,

efficient and courteous civil service. This was attained by adopting progressive personnel

policies, which gave recognition to merit and “good work”. A pay scale was also

implemented for employees, the highest in Cagayan Valley at that time (Ignacio, 1965:2).

In addition, he advocated for the nullification of Administrative Order No. 262, Series of

1958, for the reason that the salary rates in ranking positions within the local

governments were very low compared to similar positions under the national government.

He proposed that by increasing the standard rates of compensation, it would provide more

incentive and thus, efficiency among the lower bracket employees under the government

(Fernandez, 1963). This move was an indication towards greater autonomy of local

governments, especially in planning their own fiscal affairs (Fernandez, 1963).

One of the most astonishing achievements in finance was that the administration

was able to “increase the province’s revenue by 91 percent in a span of four years;

likewise he has succeeded in reducing capital indebtedness by 33 percent in the same

length of time” (Borja, 1967: 21). This was made possible through fiscalization, tax

34

education and tax collection campaigns which were even commended by then Secretary

of Finance Rodrigo Perez. It happened during the time when 90 percent of local

governments were plagued by financial woes (Ignacio, 1965:10; Borja, 1967: 21).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Apart from the above said, the administration had a long list of salient

accomplishments in public works. According to Aurora Tabangay, her father prioritized

feeder roads, solar pavements, drying facilities for agricultural produce, farm-to-market

roads and roads that would open the isolated coastal areas. Furthermore, this initiative to

link the coastal areas was seen advantageous because natural resources of these places

could be utilized and this would, in turn, provide income most especially for the

municipalities of Divilacan, Maconacon, Dinapigue and Palanan. This was evidenced by

the P2.5 million San Mariano- Palanan road construction in 1962, an 80-kilometer

highway that would pass through rich agricultural lands of the province. The road was

constructed under the premise that it would enhance development especially in the

agricultural, mining and lumber industries of the province, in hopes of contributing

substantially to the agricultural, commercial and industrial progress of the country

(Viduya, 1962). Mel saw himself not only as a governor but also as father of the province

with the task to “brighten the prospects of his people in the days to come and to give the

succeeding generations the opportunity to live a contented life” (Viduya, 1962).

Aside from this, a report as of June 30, 1965 stated that the administration

“subgraded 486.40 kilometers of roads, graveled 461.45 kilometers, erected bridges

totaling 724. 48 lineal meters and installed concrete culverts measuring 1,349.80 lineal

meters” (Ignacio, 1965: 3). This can be verified in an article dated 1962 which stated that

35

31 kilometers of rural roads in 19 barrios of three municipalities have been improved.

These roads are the following:

Echague- barrio roads of Quezon-Victoria-Rizal- Cebu; kilometers; all of those barrio roads traversed the rice fields of the town of Echague; Santiago- the barrio roads of Bugalon-San Miguel- 5 kilometers; in the town of Alicia, the barrio roads are; Dagupan-Callao-Aurora- 4 kilometers; Callao-Santo Tomas- 3 kilometers (Northern Luzon Chronicle, 1962).

Other infrastructures were also constructed such as two access roads to the Mallig

region, which would be twice the number of existing arterial roads back then and a bridge

in Gamu, Isabela that would allow the flow of traffic between eastern and western Isabela

(Ignacio, 1965: 3). Ferry services were likewise established during his tenure, such as

Magsaysay and Lullutan in Ilagan, Isabela. Upon the efforts of the administration, a

budget worth P 2,000,000.00 was approved for the Cagayan Valley Railroad Extension

Program (Ignacio, 1965: 3-4). Aside from this, the administration was successful for the

release of funds for projects such as river control and irrigation systems (Ignacio, 1965:

3-4). Tractors, graders, crawlers, loaders, dump trucks and other imported equipment and

machinery needed for the construction and maintenance of roads were acquired by the

provincial government through a loan-financing plan, which made the provincial

government independent from the National Equipment Depot on the availability of units

and likewise save money from renting machinery and equipment needed to pursue other

projects (Ingnacio, 1965: 4-5). Through the administration’s joint effort with National

Economic Council, the agency for national development of the United States and the

Bureau of Public works, Isabela was included in the feasibility study of resources and

river basin development (Northern Luzon Chronicle, 1963).

36

EDUCATION

Education was also given special attention during the administration of Mel

Singson. The two most pressing problems resolved were the classroom shortages and

financial problems faced by public schools. On June 30, 1965 the administration had

extended provincial aid for the construction, completion, repair and improvement of

schools that amounted to P403, 915.20. The following fiscal year another P100, 000.00

was allotted for the same purpose (Ignacio, 1965: 5). Through his efforts a new Home

Economics building and a two-room building was put up and equipment for the Drum &

Bugle Corp was also obtained for the Isabela High School (now known as Isabela

National High School), the only provincial high school funded by the provincial

government (The Isabelan, 1964).

Moreover, scholarships were granted to deserving students. Eligible students

include elementary school valedictorians who were given full scholarship for high school.

On the other hand, salutatorians received half scholarships for high school. These grants

were also extended to those who were already in high school (Ignacio, 1965:6). In

addition, college scholarships were also extended to indigent members of the community,

as he (Mel) along with the members of the Isabela Provincial Board had approved

Resolution No. 340. c.s. granting scholarships to deserving students, which consisted of

“cash allowance not exceeding P100.00 a month, reimbursement of travelling expenses

and subsistence allowance, matriculation fees, cost of books, provided the aggregate sum

shall not exceed P 2,000.00 a year for each student-pensionado” (Northern Luzon

Chronicle, 1964). In return, grantees should serve for at least two years in any of the

37

schools in Isabela, under the employment of the Department of Education (Northern

Luzon Chronicle, 1964).

Also, a University of the Philippines System branch was sought for Isabela

through Republic Act 5215 “which provides for the establishment of a branch of the

University of the Philippines in Ilagan, Isabela, to serve the Cagayan Valley” (Manila

Bulletin, 1987: 20). This was initiated by Mel with the purpose of allowing students who

cannot attend UP in Metro Manila, due to financial circumstances, to have a chance of

having a UP education. Sadly, after losing in the Congressional reelection, the project

was discontinued by his successors.

HEALTH AND SANITATION

Health and sanitation were also prioritized under his administration. A contagious

disease pavilion for the Isabela Provincial Hospital now known as Gov. Faustino N. Dy

Provincial Hospital was constructed from the funds secured by the administration.

Likewise, ambulances, medical, and surgical equipments were also obtained for the

hospital (Ignacio, 1965: 6). Furthermore, it is shown in the Northern Luzon Chronicle

dated Tuesday, October 6, 1964, that as governor, Mel obtained funds from the

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes for a 12-bed contagious pavilion to the Isabela Provincial

Hospital (Northern Luzon Chronicle, 1964). In line with this, the administration was also

able to accomplish the establishment of added rural and barrio health centers. Mobile

health clinics were also put up and staffed by physicians, nurses, nursing aides and

driver-helpers (Ignacio, 1965: 6). In addition to this, the provincial government had

provided funds for surgical and medical equipment for the Palanan Rural Health Unit.

38

New positions were also created so as to make the health services broader such as

midwives, inoculators, and vaccinators (Ignacio, 1965: 6).

AGRICULTURE

The development of agriculture was a part of the salient accomplishments of the

administration. Given that agriculture is one of the chief industries in Isabela, the

provincial administration gave attention to the development of agro-social-economic

policies and programs. This was evidenced by the financial assistance extended by the

provincial government to the Commission on Agricultural Productivity, the Bureau of

Plant Industry and the Bureau of Soils (Ignacio, 1965: 7). Aside from this, through the

assistance of the United Nations, the administration was able to put up a Soils Laboratory

equipped with “modern instruments and apparatuses” in the municipality of Ilagan

(Ignacio, 1965:7). The facility is primarily for doing research on how to improve the

agricultural output of Isabela. It is also to his credit that San Mariano, Isabela was made

into a designated sugar central (Borja, 1967:21). As a result, the province now possessed

a sugar central milling that processed the province’s sugar cane produce and likewise

offered job opportunities to Isabelinos (Ignacio, 1965:7). Apart from these, Mel was

largely responsible for the promotion of a Philippine Coconut Administration

(PHILCOA) coconut seed bank (Borja, 1967: 21), on a site that was leased by the

provincial government (Ignacio, 1965:7).

Veterinary services were also provided by the provincial government so as to

protect livestock and work animals from diseases and to scientific breeding (Ignacio,

1965: 8).

39

Through this, it is evident that not only the agricultural produce was given

importance but also the welfare of the farmers.

LAND MANAGEMENT

Furthermore, accomplishments of Mel’s administration were also apparent in the

area of land distribution and management. Forest lands were released for settlement by

the landless and legitimate public land applicants were protected from opportunists

(Ignacio, 1965:7). During his tenure as Isabela’s OIC- Governor, he proposed “Tierra

Virgen” located in the eastern portion of the province as a probable site for land reform.

This was patterned after former President Macapagal’s Economic Development Corps

(EDCOR) Program (Manila Bulletin, 1987: 5). This program aimed to grant portions of

state-owned lands for discharged soldiers (McClintock, 2002). In addition, the governor’s

help was also sought by the Tingians who were reportedly facing ejection 20 kilometers

east of Tumauini, Isabela. His aid was asked to help them retain possession of their land.

They asked him to facilitate the classification of their lands into agricultural lands so that

they might be able to secure land titles. As a response, the Bureau of Forestry assured

him that the request would be given priority (Northern Luzon Chronicle, 1962).

Moreover, protecting the lands of the people of Isabela also form part of the land

projects/thrusts of the governor. Mel, along with Gov. Jose Espino of Nueva Vizcaya

supported the charges of land-grabbing against the Ilocos Development Company and

Senate President Marcos, the company’s legal counsel, who attempted to acquire 27,000

hectares of land in the provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya (The Manila Times, 1965:

21-A). In relation to this, as far back as 1958 Mel had already warned Marcos in a

luncheon the two had in his home in Isabela, “to refrain from participating because this is

40

a very explosive matter involving people whose lands have been theirs for so many

years” (Evening News, 1965).

ENVIRONMENT

As for the management of the natural resources of Isabela, Mel’s administration

closely worked with Forestry officials and adopted an uncompromising attitude in their

campaign against squatters and illegal loggers (Ignacio, 1965: 8). In an interview with the

Philippine Panorama in 1986, Mel was quoted:

As early as during the 60’s I’ve been fighting the illegal cutters because I felt that if we did not protect our forests there would come a time when our rich tobacco and rice lands, would become deserts, and there are signs that that is beginning to happen. In the 1960’s, Ilagan was getting its water supply from a spring called Puyot. Then a group of settlers came over and started cutting trees. What I did was to go to Manila and get the office on wild life to put up a warden here. But apparently this did not stop the kaingeros and in time the spring dried up. Now Ilagan’s water supply has to be pumped from underground. I am afraid that what happened to Ilagan could happen to the whole province if we did not stop indiscriminate logging (Flores, 1986).

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIVELIHOOD

The provincial administration also saw the necessity of community development.

Through his (Mel) strong representation, funds for the Talaca Spring Development

Project was approved. According to the Manila Daily Bulletin, the project was calculated

to “greatly help the barrio people solve their problem of obtaining safe and potable

drinking water, it will also help people undertake self-help projects like vegetable

gardens, poultry and swine raising, planting cash crops as well as other income producing

activities” (1963).

As governor, he was part of the Philippine delegates otherwise known as V-AID

team to visit and observe community development areas in Pakistan such as Preshawar,

Lahore, Nowshera and Mardan. With him were Deputy Presidential Assistant Faustino S.

Macutay, Governor of Leyte Idelfonso Cinco and Vice Governor Mamintal Tamano of

Lanao del Sur Governor (The Pakistan Times, 1960). The experiences and strategies of

41

community development the team learned were to be applied in their respective

communities.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic development also received attention, as Mel organized the Isabela

Provincial Economic Development Board that was established to “harness the talents of

private individuals and technical men to study, plan and propose ideas of a more

progressive Isabela. In addition, it was intended to formulate workable and practical agro-

socio-economic blueprint of Isabela” (Borja, 1967:21; Ignacio. 1965: 8-9). This was a

joint effort between the private sector and the provincial government (Philippine Herald,

n.d.) Mel served as chairman along with sixteen members from various groups such as

“the highway district engineer, district irrigation engineer, provincial agriculturist,

division superintendent of schools, President of Isabela Mayors League, and

representatives of the Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank,

Philippine Tobacco Administration and the Northeastern Luzon Cattle Raisers

Association, other members were also derived from corn and rice growers, sugar

industry, livestock and poultry raisers, tobacco industry, lumber industry and cacao and

coffee growers” (Philippine Herald, n.d.).

PEACE AND ORDER

Peace and order was also given proper attention during Mel’s administration. The

provincial government along with the Philippine Constabulary (PC) and the National

Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted trainings to raise the quality of the province’s

police force (Ignacio, 1965: 10).

42

AS CABINET MEMBER

During 1964, there were talks of President Macapagal appointing Mel as

executive secretary. Even the Philippine Herald went on saying that “President

Macapagal has finally made up his mind to appoint Isabela Gov. Melanio T. Singson as

executive secretary” (Garlit, 1964). Yet, it never came. His supposed appointment was

opposed by congressmen who wanted the new executive secretary to be a solon or a

former solon for the reason that the following year (1965) would be a congressional

election (Philippine Herald, 1964). It was opposed because there were rumors circulating

that Mel, in the coming elections would leave the provincial seat and eventually run as a

representative (congressman) of Isabela’s lone district which would have hindered the

fulfillment of his duty as executive secretary. Also, a telegram arrived with a message

“Appointment deferred pending arrival of Mrs. Macapagal” (Tanedo, 1964).

Aurora Singson, recalls that:

He was supposed to be appointed as executive secretary, pero iba pala ang manok ni Eva Macapagal, later on he was first made as Undersecretary of Justice and then eventually became the Acting Secretary of Justice before he was made to run for Congress. Andiyan na yung eroplano sa Cauayan noon eh, hinihintay na lang yung pagluwas naming lahat, buong pamilya, biglang may tumawag.

Upon his appointment as Undersecretary of Justice and later as Acting Secretary

of Justice, he continued to hold two gubernatorial positions- that of the province and the

Development Bank of the Philippines. Furthermore, as undersecretary, he concurrently

served as chairman of the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Deportation Board. Apart

from his held positions as Undersecretary, he was also appointed as chairman of the

Committee on Appeals of the Board of Censors for Motion Picture and director of the

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes and the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry. Aside from

43

these he was also director to the Philippine Tobacco Administration and member to

various key presidential committees (Dacanay, 1966).

Mel stressed fairness and integrity. For him, the municipal courts are “the first

and last refuge of the poor, who can hardly pay their lawyer’s fees, if the poor fail to

receive justice then the foundations of the government will have been shaken” (Manila

Chronicle, 1965). On the other hand, he was praised for his firmness in decision making

and judgement. This was especially apparent during a prison riot in Fort Bonifacio where

the prisoners demanded to be returned to Muntinlupa because they did not want to be

confined with political prisoners such as the communist politburo members (Manila

Bulletin, 1965: 4). He denied such requests and did not accede to their demands, and was

quoted saying “Get them back to Fort Bonifacio, they have no business to make such a

demand” (Philippine Herald, 1965). He was praised for his decisions that were founded

on the principles of discipline and order. He later left the cabinet position upon filing for

his congressional candidacy for the lone district of Isabela.

Holding various positions, Mel’s life had been quite busy and when asked by E.

Ealdama on what he does in an ordinary day, Mel tells: “I’ll just say that my day begins

when a barrio captain knocks at the house at six in the morning and sometimes ends one

past midnight at Malacanang or a night plane” (Ealdama, n.d. : 29). In addition, he was

quoted saying that his work involved “regular provincial board meeting, an emergency

conference with the president, an urgent case at the Philippine Tobacco Administration, a

late schedule at the DBP and a sudden political maneuver” (Ealdama, n.d. : 28).

44

AS CONGRESSMAN

As a congressman, it is important to note the political context of Isabela during

the 1960s. Since the end of the war, the province has often been under the Liberal Party

(LP), except for two occasions where a Nacionalista had represented the province’s lone

district in the halls of Congress (Borja, 1967: 22). LP leadership in the province was

solidified when Ferdinand Marcos became president of the LP in 1962 and more so when

he was elected as Senate President in 1963 (Borja, 1967: 22). The party’s success in the

province was mainly because of the interplay of ethnicity and politics. Isabela, a province

mostly populated by Ilocanos, supported an Ilocano. Hence, the Ilocanos and the

province were “Liberalized” (Borja, 1967:22).

Marcos’ shift to the Nacionalista Party (NP) in 1964 had major repercussions in

the province’s political landscape. LP followers remained as LPs while being loyal to

Marcos and their local LP leaders (Borja, 1967: 22). In 1965, Melanio T. Singson, an LP,

defeated Rep. Delfin Albano, an NP, for his reelection (Borja, 1967: 22).

According to Dylan Borja:

Isabela’s odd political persuasion was demonstrated in the last election when its electorate voted heavily for Marcos, the NP presidential candidate and for Singson, the LP congressional bet. How long this divided political loyalty of the Isabelinos will last? (Borja, 1967: 22).

There were talks of Singson turning NP, as reflected by the President’s scheme of

wooing Ilocano congressmen (Borja, 1967: 22). In addition, Mel was called by the

President a number of times concerning the revamp of the Lower House and the

installation of Rep. Jose B. Laurel, Jr. as speaker. But still and always, he remained a

Liberal (Borja, 1967: 22).

45

The presidency of Ferdinand Marcos has created Isabela as “one of the most

politically unstable provinces, and President Marcos’s ascendancy to the premier position

of leadership in the country under the NP banner has made Isabela’s political scheme a

highly confused one” (Borja, 1967: 22). This confusion and instability would explain the

course of the political life of Melanio T. Singson.

Not wanting to leave the provincial administration and due to his inclination to

remain as provincial governor up to the end of his term, he had to accede to the clamor of

the people and his party members who wanted him to represent the province in congress

(Ignacio, 1965: 12).

He won as congressman in 1965 by a meager 2000 votes over his rival, a term

which he served until 1969. His victory was due to his previous political background as a

former governor and as a member of numerous government positions, coupled with his

considerable accomplishments (Singh, 1966). Also, it is to his credit that the branches of

the DBP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Motor Vehicle Office are located in

the province (Singh, 1966).

As a newcomer to the legislature, Mel established himself as one of the “few

brilliant legislators ever to grace the halls of Congress” (Philippine News Magazine,

1969), with his involvement in committees and the revision of laws. He was part of

congressional committees such as education, good government, judiciary, reorganization,

mines, provincial and municipal government, public works, revision of laws and ways

and means (Editorial and Publication Services, House of Representatives, 1967: 252).

He was catapulted to prominence in his anti-smuggling bills, where his bills on

anti-smuggling featured “death penalty for homicide committed as a consequence of

46

smuggling; extension of the 20 percent cash reward to government officials and

employees instrumental in the discovery and seizure of smuggled goods; punishment of

both the smuggler and the possessor of smuggled goods; transfer to the possessor or

owner of smuggled goods the burden of proof that he is not guilty; stiffer penalties for

traffickers, including deportation for aliens and disqualification from public office on the

part of government personnel” (Weekly Nation, 1966).

In addition it is to his credit that the campaign period was shortened through the

Tanada-Singson Law. In an interview with Al Cadiente in the Valley Time, Mel allegedly

said,

Because the campaign is legally shortened, the poor but highly qualified candidates if favored. As he cannot afford a long, protracted and expensive campaign the law places the poor candidate on a par on an equal footing with the moneyed candidate. The rich candidate cannot utilize his money to the disadvantage of the poor candidate except to buy votes” (Cadiente, 1966).

The law specifically addressed the ludicrous spending associated to campaigns and

elections.

Below is a list of his laws (R.A.) and proposed bills (H.No.) passed by both

houses that were in pending action by the president in 1969 in The Valley Times dated

September 6, 1969 (as of now, some are already enacted into laws):

Governance R.A. No. 4712- An act amending certain sections of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. (Anti-Smuggling Law)R.A. No. 4730- An act providing for a procedure for validating the permanent registration of voters approved by Election Registrars and to provide for registration boards.R.A. No. 4664- An act authorizing the increase of Philippine Economic and Technical Assistance to the Republic of South VietnamR.A. No. 4700- An act providing for the acquisition and operation of a National Security Printing Plant.R.A. 5776- An Act Creating Certain Municipal Districts in the Province of IsabelaR.A. No. 4848- An act fixing the salaries of officers and personnel in the Administrative, Accounting, Fiscal and other services of the Department of Justice.R.A. No.4864- An act creating the Police Commission, amending and revising laws relative to the local police system, and for other purposes.

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R.A. No. 4873- An act creating the Municipality of Benito Soliven in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 4877- An act creating the Municipality of Burgos in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 4880- An act to amend Republic Act Numbered One hundred and eighty, otherwise known as “The Revised Election Code”, by limiting the period of election campaign, now popularly called the TANADA-SINGSON LAW.R.A. No. 4897- An act to further amend Commonwealth Act Numbered One hundredtwenty.R.A. No. 4901- An act creating the Municipality of Quirino in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 4906- An act creating the Municipality of San Guillermo in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5139- An act creating the Municipality of San Isidro in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5166- The Accountancy Act of 1967.R.A. No. 5192- An act granting the Cagayan Valley Utilities Corporation a franchise to install, operate and maintain a telephone system in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya.R.A. No. 5173- An act creating a Philippine Coast Guard, prescribing its powers and functions, appropriating the necessary funds therefore and for other purposes.R.A. No. 5203- An act to amend certain sections of Title IX of the National Internal Revenue Code. (Civil remedies for collection of taxes)R.A. No. 5223- An act authorizing any provincial, municipal or city government to enter into contract with any private party for the construction of its self-liquidating projects.R.A. No. 5276- An act transferring the seat of Government of the Municipality of Ramon, Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5325- An act amending Commonwealth Act numbered Four hundred sixty-six, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code.R.A. No. 5431- An act amending the National Internal Revenue Code. (Rates of tax in corporations)R.A. No. 5436- An act amending Commonwealth Act numbered Four hundred and sixty six.R.A. No. 5499- An act amending the National Internal Revenue Code.R.A. No. 5451- An act authorizing the President of the Philippines to sell a parcel of land to the Knights of Rizal.H. No. 349- An act creating six additional positions of assistant provincial fiscal for the Province of Isabela.H. No. 11156- An act affecting certain barrios of Isabela.H. No. 11887- An act standardizing the salary or compensation of legal officers in the national government.H. No. 15773- An act affecting certain barrios of Isabela.H. No. 17676- An act making the President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association a member of the Board of Regents thereof.H. No. 16293- An act creating three new municipal districts in the Province of Isabela.H. No. 16623- An act amending Republic Act numbered Thirty-one hundred one.H. No. 17601- An act amending the Revised Administrative Code.H. No. 17839- An act amending certain provision of the National Internal Revenue.

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H, No. 18774- An act appropriating additional funds for the Philippine Veterans Administration.H. No. 18903- An act amending Republic Act Numbered Two thousand nine hundred twelve.H. No. 7339- An act amending Republic Act numbered One thousand One-hundred thirty.H. No. 18104- An act penalizing employers of illegal entrants.

Livelihood and Economic ProgramsR.A. No. 5092- An act to promote and regulate the exploration, development, exploitation and utilization of geothermal energy, natural gas and methane gas, to encourage its conservation.R.A. No. 5186- An act prescribing incentives and guarantees to investments in the Philippines, creating a Board of Investments, appropriating the necessary funds therefore and for other purposes.R.A. No. 5231- An act establishing animal breeding station in the Municipality of Quezon, Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5219- An act repealing Republic Act numbered Twenty-nine hundred and fifty-nine, entitled “An act granting Pedro Bangug a Franchise for an electric light, heat and power system in the municipality of Cabagan, Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5384- An act granting Slyvia G. Gumabao a franchise to construct, maintain, and operate an ice plant and cold storage in the Municipalities of Santiago and Echague, Province of Isabela, and to sell and distribute ice so manufactured and furnish cold storage therein and in the municipalities of Alicia, Angadanan, Cauayan, Cabatuan, SanMateo, Ramon, Cordon, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo and San Isidro all in the Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5326- An act amending Republic Act numbered Three thousand four hundred seventy. (Cottage Industries)H. No. 6125- An act further amending Republic Act Numbered Eleven hundred and thirty-five, entitled “An act establishing the Philippine Tobacco Adminsitration.”H. No. 13256- An act amending Republict Act numbered 720 as amended otherwise known as the Rural Bank Act.H. No. 16516- An act declaring Mariveles in the Province of Bataan a free port.

InfrastructureR.A. No. 5143- An act authorizing the Public Service Commission to construct and adequate and permanent building for its offices in Quezon City.R.A. No. 5245- An act granting Alberto Rodriguez a temporary permit to construct, maintain and operate private fixed point-to-point and land based and land mobile radio stations for the reception and transmission of radio communications within the Philippines.R.A. No. 5279- An act authorizing the construction of specific public works projects by private corporations, associations, partnerships or individuals payable with; or in consideration of certificates of indebtedness.

49

R.A. No. 5398- An act appropriating funds for the construction of national buildings on Constitution Hill, Quezon City.H. No. 16258- An act amending Republic Act numbered Forty-eight hundred fifty four (re public works act).H. No. 17434- An act appropriating funds for public works synchronizing the same with previous public works appropriation.

Social WelfareR.A. No. 4670- The Magna Carta for public school teachers.R.A. No. 4917- An act providing that retirement benefits of employees of private firms shall not be subject to attachment, levy, execution, or any tax whatsoever.R.A. No. 5059- An act granting life pension and franking privilege to former Presidents of the Philippines.R.A. No. 5215- An act providing for the establishment of a branch of the University of the Philippines in the Municipality of Ilagan, Province of Isabela.R.A. No. 5235- An act granting the Philippine National Red Cross a franchise to establish, maintain and operate private fixed point-to-point private Coastal, private aeronautical and land based and land mobile radio stations for the transmission and reception of wireless messages to and from said stations.R.A. No. 5342- An act establishing the Palanan Station Hospital in the Municipality of Palanan, Province of Isabela, and authorizing the appropriation of funds therefor.R.A. No. 5416- An act providing for comprehensive social services, creating for this purpose a Department of Social Welfare.H. No. 16149- An act establishing a tuberculosis pavilion in the Municipality of Cauayan, Province of Isabela.H. No. 18978- The Magna Carta of Students.

EnvironmentH. No. 16583- An act establishing in the Municipality of Ilagan, Province of Isabela, a soil and water conservation demonstration station to be known as Cagayan Valley Soild and Water Conservation Demonstration Station.

Through his hard work and perseverance he has been chosen every year from

1966-1969 as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Congressmen, Ten Useful Congressmen.

Likewise, he was unanimously selected as Top Parliamentarian in the Philippine News

Magazine and other publications such as The Congressional Press Club, Philippine Free

Press, Weekly Nation, and the Congressional Watchdog (Cadiente, 1969).

50

He was also dubbed as “Mr. Good Government,” for his clean and spotless

record; given his 29 years of public service, not even once has his name been involved in

scandal, anomaly nor subjected to inquiry, such was his records in government service

(Weekly Nation, 1971). Moreover, his daughter Aurora added:

In politics I never head anybody say Daddy was corrupt, because kung may projects binubuhos niya talaga [ang pondo]. Wala naman silang masabi noon kundi personal. Mommy ko raw hindi marunong ngumiti, wala eh kami noon ang inaatake. Kung nakikinig kami noon sa radio sabi ni Daddy wag na raw kaming making. Walang nagsabi na nagnakaw ang daddy ko.

Papers and publications ran praises of him such as:

Melanio Singson belongs to the old school of politicians, serious at debates, conscientious in his job, a no-nonsense parliamentarian. For his intelligence, sobriety, impeccable conduct, he is the most admired and respected among the newcomers (Philippine Free Press as cited in Weekly Nation, 1971).

A sharp fiscalizer, he is one of the opposition’s mainstays in Congress. No important bill passes the House without his searching scrutiny (Philippine Free Press as cited in Weekly Nation, 1971).

He is one of the few solons who enjoy the respect of colleagues from both parties. He has a perfect record of attendance; no major bill goes through the House without his participation (Philippine Free Press as cited in Weekly Nation, 1971).

Although a neophyte, he made his mark for his work on the anti-smuggling measure. He hammered into shape several bills designed to arrest the rising cost of election campaigns. He sponsored the most number of bills calendared for debate . . . A consistent interpellator on the House floor, his wide experience in law and the justice department contributed to the perfection of legislative measures. Protector of Philippine forests, enemy of illegal loggers, exponent of better treatment for school teachers; and advocate of clean government through honesty, loyalty and better discipline. . . Having been justice undersecretary and acting secretary of justice, Singson’s experience gave him brilliance in clarifying and amending proposed laws tjat were debated on the floor (Weekly Nation, 1966 as cited in Weekly Nation, 1971).

A former Acting Secretary of Justice, he led the debates on bills touching on the judiciary and introduced vital amendments to the measures creating special criminal courts and the budget (The Valley Times, 1967).

Singson has carved a niche in the nation’s legislature yet to be equaled by his peers (The Congressional Watchdog as cited in Weekly Nation, 1971).

Also, during President Marcos’ regime Mel, being a sharp fiscalizer spoke against

the President’s approved national budget, denounced the waste of the taxpayer’s money,

criticized the unrealistic approach to the needs of the country, the omission of land

reform appropriations, the huge political items, the bloated appropriations of the armed

forces and fought against the tax measures of the administration (Rama, 1969).

51

His performance in the halls of congress earned him, respect and admiration

among his colleagues in the lower house and earned him the title “Congressmen’s

Congressman.” He was praised for his integrity, performance and devotion to his

congressional duty and for his intelligent and profound perspective in legislative work,

where he established a record of “having introduced the most numerous and vital

amendments improving the bills not only in substance but also in language and style”

(Rama, 1969).

He was defeated in his reelection bid in 1969. In an editorial in the Congress

Newsletter his and ex-Congressman Benjamin N. Tabios (Bukidnon) defeat were

lamented. According to the editorial, they were the “epitome of the kind of lawmakers

this nation needs. They are leading examples on responsible fiscalization. They authored

many bills main theme of which was general welfare and not the serving of vested

interest as was the hallmark of the legislative output of their mediocre colleagues”

(Congress Newsletter, 1969:4). It is also said that, their failure to win reelection indicated

how the country’s elections were dictated by “money and lots of it.” After losing his

Congressional reelection he was not able to continue his “good fight in Congress for the

people’s welfare” as a newspaper put it. Many liked the hardworking lawmaker from

Isabela. Not only his friends or colleagues from the Liberal and Nacionalista parties felt

sorry but those from the media as well. Nap Rama of the Free Press expressed his

sentiment, “one of the most lamentable results of the last elections (1969) was Isabela

Congressman Singson’s failure to return to the House” (Weekly Nation, 1971).

52

INVOLVEMENT IN CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

Melanio T. Singson was also involved in civic activities such as the Philippine

National Red Cross which he had served for numerous years. As part of the Red Cross,

he became governor, member of the national executive board and has assumed the

chairmanship of the organization’s Isabela chapter (Editorial and Publication Services,

House of Representatives, 1967: 182). He was also a recipient of the Dona Aurora

Aragon-Quezon Medal and the Silver Humanitarian Cross for his noble deeds, service

and leadership in the cause of humanity.

He was also a member and director of the League of Provincial Governors and

City Mayors; FAO-ICA association; Lions Club where he held the positions of Lion

Tamer and director; Regional Commander of the Knights of Rizal and Director to the

Isabela Provincial Health Council. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of the

Philippines (BSP) where he received the bronze tamaraw and silver usa for his

distinguished service rendered to the BSP. He served as part of the BSP National

Executive Board President of Isabela Council from 1955-1956, as chief of Northern

Luzon Sub-Camp of the 10th World Jamboree, and as secretary of Isabela Chapter Board.

As part of the Knights of Columbus, he served as grand knight from 1956 to

1960. He was also director of the League of Liberal Party Elective Provincial and City

Officials, a member of Adoracion Nocturna Filipino and the Isabela Golf Club.

He also received the:

St. Dominic Savio award for his meritorious services to Catholic action among the youth through his “leadership in the promotion, organization and operation of and services to Scout units and troop development on Diocesan committee level (The Gazette, 1962).

He was cited for his:

Outstanding and effective promotional initiative to provide a program for youth welfare, vocational guidance, camping activities and overall character development, he is the first to receive the award

53

in the Archdioceses of Nueva Sogvia and the first outside of the Archdioceses of Manila to receivethe award (The Gazette, 1962).

This award is an adult religious award given to Catholic Scout leaders

(Scoutcenter.net).

Mel, was also a grantee under the OCA-NEC plan. As a travel grantee he

observed and studied aspects of community development particularly In the year 1960

when he flew to India and Pakistan. He was also delegate to the Eastern Regional

Organization of Public Administration held in Tokyo, Japan on June, 1964 (Ealdama,

n.d. : 29). As a topnotch lawyer, he was selected as the first president of the Isabela

chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which was known back then as the Bar

Integration of the Philippines (The Valley Times, 1973: 1).All in all, he was a recipient of

more than 50 gold, silver and bronze awards, plaques and certificates of merit given by

various national, civic and charitable organizations.

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SENATORIAL HOPEFUL

After his defeat, Mel went back to practice his legal profession. Before he could

adjust to his new life there came a call from the Liberal Party;

A call to join the opposition’s senatorial slate in this coming elections as a symbol of the LP’s commitment to the people to draft into its senatorial ticket not only men of achievement, men of compassion, men concerned with the appaling state of the nation, but also men of proven moral courage and integrity, and he was told by the opposition party leaders that he stood as an example of all these (Weekly Nation, 1971:23).

He was hesitant at first but eventually agreed to accept his nomination. Upon accepting

his nomination he said:

I decided to accept [my nomination] on the hope that our electorate would vote for a man who is committed to offer his only possessions- his life and his record of integrity- in the interest of our nation’s welfare (Weekly Nation, 1971: 23).

According to his daughter Aurora, when her father ran for senator, her father had to sell

their house in Kamias, Quezon City and other properties to finance his campaign.

Having been out of public life for two years, he was the least known among the

LP senatorial candidates namely: Jovito Salonga, Genaro Magsaysay, John Henry

Osmena, Eddie Ilarde, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Ramon Mitra Jr., Salipada K. Pendatun and

him. The senatorial slate though was said to be representative of the main regions; Mel’s

selection was to represent the Ilocos Region and the Ilocano-speaking provinces of

Central Luzon (Weekly Nation, 1971: 11). His political platform concerned autonomy. He

was quoted saying, “If elected to the Senate, I will fight for a better judiciary and really

autonomous local governments,” irked by the fact that local government officials have to

beg from the national government for funds. And, given his record as an advocate, and as

a former congressman he had fought for the Local Autonomy Law that would give more

power to governors (Macatuno, 1971). Being a former governor himself, he knew the

difficulties of running a provincial government without the appropriate funds. He

55

intended to propose a law that would give governors the power of taxation in order for

them to push through with their projects in their respective provinces (Macatuno, 1971).

Through Mel, The Liberal Party said that if they were elected they would

propose “a more equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth and delimit wealth

accumulation and promote its dispersal among the broad masses of our people” (The

Daily Mirror, 1971). This legislation was specified as “profit-sharing in industrial and

concerns; capital sharing on a limited scale for the broadening of the capital base and

progressive taxation specifically imposing heavier levies on wealth” (The Daily Mirror,

1971).

As part of the Liberal Party Senatorial Ticket, he was among those injured in the

Plaza Miranda Bombing where the Liberal Party’s proclamation rally was held on August

21, 1971. As a consequence of the blast he sustained wounds, and was confined at St.

Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City. Because of the injuries he sustained, he had to walk with

the aid of crutches for a period of time.

From his bed at St. Luke’s, Mel issued his statement:

The gory incident last night and its murderous proportions reveal a heightened atmosphere of violence in our society. Even madmen will be drawn into reckless deeds when the leadership of the community seems helpless or indifferent in maintaining peace and order. Nothing happens in total isolation: violence begets more violence. The violence of private armies the death of young demonstrators in the streets ironically at the hands of government forces, the many massacres unresolved, were painfully and cruelly dramatized in Plaza Miranda last night. I hope the people will now respond in full unity to pin the social blame upon the present leadership for its dreadful failure to instill respect for law and order (The Manila Times. 1971).

Melanio Singson lost his senatorial bid, he placed 10th out of the 16 candidates.

As of 5 p.m. December 26, 1971 he garnered a total of 3,126,966 votes (The Philippines

Herald, 1971).

56

RETIREMENT FROM POLITICS AND DEATH

After a fulfilled life serving not only the people of Isabela but also the country by

virtue of the various positions he held in the government, he returned to the practice of

his law profession- his first love. Even at his deathbed at St. Luke’s Hospital at Quezon

City, clients came seeking for his legal advice. His daughter tells that

He practiced law at that time, he was in his early 70’s, even in his deathbed a lot of his clients still came. People from Isabela went to him for legal advice, his mind back then was still very sharp.

In addition, despite his old age and before getting sick, he travelled to Kalinga, Apayao

and Ifugao to meet his clients. According to his daughter:

He was preparing (for his eventual death and money) for my mother who never worked in her life, my father told my mother I’m doing this for you, if I go ahead you’ll have money, I do not want you to be begging.

His daughter adds:

Daddy, once again accepted legal cases that brought him to various provinces in the country. As when he started as a new practicing lawyer, the diligence, industry, and dedication to his profession remained the same as he was getting older.” [Moreover, his daughter relates that what mattered most to him was to win the cases he handled]. “Judges were intimidated by him because at certain points in the trial of the cases he would lecture them on legal principles and the like,” [his daughter relates].

In addition to this, Aurora shares:

New lawyers in Isabela came to him for legal advice and rising political figures in the province sought his help and advice. There was the so-called “Singson Day” in the various courts in Isabela as all his cases were heard in one sala from morning to afternoon.

At this point in his life, he became preoccupied with the things he missed doing

during his busy days such as golf, spending time with his wife, children and

grandchildren and he also chronicled all photographs in albums from his first stint as

governor, congressman, undersecretary and eventually Secretary of Justice.

Everything was going well until Mel was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

According to his daughter:

Wala siyang bisyo. Ang analysis nang doctor nung mga araw na kumakandidato siya he went to the barrios and ate something. Usually, nakukuha yan sa unsanitary food preparation, yung virus raw or

57

bacteria nang ganung sakit nag-iincubate sa katawan nang tao for 20 years bago maging full blown na sakit. Eventually namatay siya sa St. Luke’s noong January 27, 1992

When asked about her father’s lasting legacies, she replied:

His good name. He tried his best to live an honest life, his principles and reputation were unquestionable. He lived a life that was a model not only to us his children but to others as well. He lived what he preached.

In addition, Aurora added that his legacy is his “unquestionable honesty and

extreme dedication to duty, in his years of service with the government, he did not get

rich.” Moreover, he lived up to his principles when,

During Martial Law, Daddy was offered to become one of the Supreme Court Justices; he turned it down because he was strongly against Martial Law. Even though he was friends with Marcos, Daddy stood by the principles he believed in. To serve with dedication, integrity and honesty, those where the principles he believed in and practiced in whatever public office he served.

This was shown by Dione M. Fallarme’s article in the Valley Times which said

that there were talks that he would have been a Justice of the Supreme Court under then

President Ferdinand Marcos, only he chose to standby his principles in the face of such

temptation (Fallarme, 1987).

Aurora supplemented, “His loyalty was remarkable, as a politician he was an LP

through and through, they called him an LP stalwart. He never changed parties during his

life time. He never did and they respected him for that.”

He was also commended for his incorruptibleness:

Governor Melanio T. Singson of Isabela is by right a model public official in Isabela. This should serve as a model for Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan. He may not accept rewards for setting good example worth-while to be followed but he proves that he is a fit public servant in many ways (Valley Times, 1964).

In addition, such character and praises given to Mel did not only come from his

friends and family but also from those who lived during his time as a public servant. This

is proven by the interviews conducted with the constituents of Isabela that experienced

his service first hand. Mel is known to the people not only as a good and clean politician

58

with uncompromising principles who had conscientiously worked for the development of

Isabela, but also as a brilliant lawyer. His good name is etched in the memory of some

Isabelinos.

In relation to this, Ma. Alicia Tumaneng, 59 years of age and a stenographer from

Ilagan, Isabela, states that Mel was an “honest, efficient and kind person. As a politician

he has an uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles.” Furthermore,

Bonita Salvador, 72 years of age and a seamstress from Calamagui 2nd, Ilagan, Isabela

tells a similar story:

Ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, isa siyang matuwid na public servant, wala kang maririnig na kahit na anong anomalya na kanyang kinasangkutan, magaling na abogado at mabuting asawa at ama sa kanyang 10 anak.

In addition, Aurelia Ludriguito, 60 years of age and a government employee from

Ilagan, Isabela, added that he was a brilliant lawyer, God-fearing and a disciplinarian.

Moreover, as governor his projects underwent a screening committee before

implementation which directly reflects his efficiency and competence as a public servant.

Aurelia Lodriguito tells that as a public servant he was honest and dedicated to his work.

This is reiterated in an interview with Rosalina Queri, 70 years of age and currently a

Barangay Secretary of Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela. She also adds that:

As governor, all projects of the government, before implementation, passed in the hands of a screening committee known as the “Committee on Awards” and there were no shady deals or whatever irregularity that occurred, since he was fair and democratic in dealing with his colleagues in the Provincial Board.

Mel is also praised for his management of the province’s affairs, Tumaneng

shares that:

Napakahusay [niyang mamalakad], sa kanya ko natutuhan at lagi kong sinasabi pati na sa mga anak ko na “ang lahat ng tao ay pantay-pantay, walang mayaman at mahirap.” Ito ang hindo ko malilimutan na ginawa ni Melanio Singson sa mga preso noon. Lagi niyang binibisita ang mga itoat lagging tinatanong [ang] bawat isa sa kanila kung tinatrato sila nang maayos ng mga security

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guards. At kung mahirap ka man, inaasikaso ka niya pag pinupuntahan siya sa bahay man o sa opisina. Malinis ang pamamahala niya. Hindi siya naging kurakot dahil batid naming na siya ay maka-diyos. Mahusay siyang makihalo-bilo sa mga tao niya. Maihahanay noon ang Isabela na isa sa maayos, tahimik , malinis at maasensong probinsya noong termino niya.

In addition, Tumaneng spoke of the transparency in his government and that he never

was a dictator. Before any action was taken in any issue, he sought the opinion of other

members of the Provincial Board. Furthermore she recalled that “Maayos at walang

anumang alitan o hidwaan sa pagitan nilang magkakasama. Ang tema ng kanyang

pamamahala ay “Keep Isabela Moving Forward.”

Moreover, apart from his integrity as a public servant his competence is also very

well etched in the memory of Isabelinos. This was reflected in an interview with

Rosalinda N. Queri, who had worked with Mel for a long period of time. Way back in

1963, she first worked as a stenographer for the provincial government. She had been his

stenographer in his stints as governor and congressman. Likewise, when Mel was

appointed as the OIC-Governor after the EDSA Revolution, Queri was called on to be

part of his staff. Moreover, she also worked and helped Mel in his private practice for 7

years. According to her, she prepared his pleadings, and appealed briefs and related

works. As a member of Mel’s staff during his stint as a congressman, she recalls:

During his sessions in Congress, whenever he interpolated or argued for or in defense of a bill, his colleagues and people at the Congress gallery watched and listened in awe and admiration because Cong. Singson was a brilliant speaker. And we, members of his staff, often sneaked out of the office just to listen to him. We also basked in reflected glory, especially in some celebrated cases in which he chaired the powerful Committee on Good Government.

Furthermore, Melanio T. Singson is also seen as a relevant figure in the history of

Isabela by the respondents, given that he served key positions in both provincial and

national governments. Ma. Alicia Tumaneng agreed to the notion that he is indeed

important as he “had set many good and exemplary projects in our province.” According

to Mrs. Bonita Salvador, she sees him as someone who has marked his name in the

province’s history given that he was the very first Isabelino to be appointed as

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Undersecretary and later on as Secretary of Justice. In relation to this, Rosalina Queri

adds that:

Napakaimportanteng kasama siya sa kasaysayan ng. His reputation was unblemished, no corruption or immorality issues and his conduct in office is worthy of emulation. He was the first Isabelino who was appointed to the position of Undersecretary, then Secretary of Justice in 1965.

Aside from his programs and policies, Mel has also touched people’s lives in one

way or another. Such is the case of Ms. Queri. Not only did she serve multiple positions

during Mel’s stint as a politician and as a lawyer, but he was also her first employer. She

shares:

I noticed everything in his office and that of the staff was spic and span, no clutter on desktops, books and equipment were well-arranged and it seemed the most wholesome environment to work.

Every morning before typing we spruced up our typewriters, no specks of dust to be seen, and the keys of our typewriters were well-brushed before and after using them, then properly covered before we leave the office at the end of the day.

In all offices I worked with after my stint in the office of the Governor and later in the House of Representatives, I always made it a point to clean the typewriter and maintain neatness in the letters I type because they are reflections of me and I always give my work the best shot.

I am now 70 years old, a senior citizen, working as Barangay Secretary of Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela and my commitment to my job and my being a perfectionist are the best legacies I learned from my first and best employer ever, the Honorable Melanio T. Singson.

Apart from his legacies he was also known for his important contributions to the

province. Salvador shares that her husband was a barangay captain when Mel was first

elected Governor, and through Mel her barangay was given a multipurpose pavement

which greatly benefited the constituents within the vicinity. Furthermore, she added that

his creation of towns such as Benito Soliven, Delfin Albano and San Isidro are one of his

important contributions. Additionally, Tumaneng noted that some of his most important

contributions were keeping the peace and order and the integrity with which he

conducted his affairs.

In addition, Queri also noted that a number of his projects were noteworthy such

as the creation of towns in Isabela, together with infrastructure projects like the

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Galibubon overflow bridge in Jones, Isabela and flood control projects in several

municipalities.

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CONCLUSION

This research on the biography of Melanio T. Singson is not the entirety of his life

nor his persona. No singular work can wholly describe the life that Mel had lived. His life

can be written and interpreted in many ways, this research being one of many. To write a

coherent story of an individual is an illusion and is an impossible feat. The research is

able to present a dimension of his life that was derived from various streams of sources

such as articles that appeared in newspapers, magazines, books and interviews with his

daughter and some constituents of Isabela.

The findings of this research in relation to his accomplishments and contributions

to Isabela are divided into five separate fields namely: livelihood and economic

programs, social welfare, infrastructure, environment, and governance.

Based on the discussion presented Mel was truly a leader who made his concern

and labor for his beloved province felt in each and every aspect of Isabela’s life.

Collaborating with non-government organizations, community development was

given proper attention such as the spring project. The project enabled the people to have

access to clean and potable drinking water. In addition, opportunities for the

establishment of cottage industries were made possible. Having access to water people

could grow vegetables at their backyards either for consumption or trade. Poultry and

swine raising also became profitable sources of income (Manila Bulletin, 1963).

Economic development was also pursued. The organization of the Isabela

Provincial Economic Development was a collaboration between the provincial

government and technocrats from various fields. Its purpose was to create realistic and

feasible solutions to Isabela’s problems.

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As congressman, he authored many bills some of which were made into laws such

as the R.A. No. 5326 “An act amending Republic Act No. 3470” which states that cottage

industries shall be “owned and operated by Filipino citizens, or by a corporation,

partnership or cooperative, at least seventy-five per cent of the capital or investment of

which is owned by a Filipino citizen” (Lawphil.net). This law can be seen as greatly

beneficial for the Filipino entrepreneur as he/she is exempted from taxes for a period of

five years not exceeding sales worth of P 200,000.00. This law encouraged

entrepreneurship and the use of Filipino products in manufacturing goods. It stated that

“seventy-five per cent of the total cost of raw materials utilized in the production or

manufacture of cottage industry products should consists of raw materials of Philippine

origin” (Lawphil.net).

Studies were conducted with the help of various government offices and non-

government organizations to improve the agricultural output of the province. Aside from

these, veterinary services were also provided to raisers and breeds of poultry and cattle.

In addition, an animal breeding station was established in the municipality of Quezon,

Isabela by virtue of R.A. 5231. We can therefore say that the welfare of the common folk

was triumphantly pursued through his unwavering efforts.

In the field of social welfare, Mel co-authored R.A. 5416 which established the

Department of Social Welfare, the present-day Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD). Its main task was to launch development and social welfare

programs such as the:

Prevention and remedial programs and services for individuals, families and communities; protective, remedial and development welfare services for children and youth; vocational rehabilitation and related services for the physically handicapped, ex-convict and individuals with special needs and training and research and special projects (lawphil.net).

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This law was created in order to address the poor living conditions of Filipinos through a

comprehensive program; likewise this was also enacted for the purpose of facilitating the

integration of the cultural minorities to the state (chanrobles.com).

In order to address the problems of education such as the shortage of classrooms

and other financial woes, the provincial government extended its arms. A number of

classrooms and school buildings were constructed during his administration. Also,

scholarships were granted for the less fortunate and deserving. In exchange the returned

grantees were to serve in any school in the province for two years, hence, addressing the

need for more school teachers.

Aside from these, he also protected teacher’s, giving them security of tenure,

academic freedom, compensation such as criteria for salaries and the like.

The issue of health was also addressed as a contagious disease pavilion was

constructed. In addition, medical equipment was obtained and additional medical

positions were created to broaden the health services that the province was already

offering early on. Moreover, a health station in Palanan, Isabela was constructed by virtue

of R.A. 5342 which authorized the construction of a “small hospital of not more than

twenty-five bed-capacity for the management of common medical and maternity cases

and surgical emergencies requiring ordinarily a short period of confinement”

(philippinelaw.info). This hospital was created in order to cater the health needs of the

people of Palanan, who were then isolated due to geographic circumstances.

Measures in land distribution were also made. This was done so that the landless

peasant could finally have his own field to tend. No longer would he be tied to the bonds

of his landlord.

65

To ensure that further developments would bring the province to immeasurable

economic growth, Mel also focused on construction of public works. Feeder roads, farm-

to-market roads, bridges and drying facilities were built to address the concerns of

transportation and agricultural sectors. Infrastructures as mentioned earlier were built

with the purpose of fostering the growth of Isabela’s main industries namely: agriculture,

mining, and lumber. The creation of bridges and roads enabled the flow of capital, labor

and commodities from one place to another, significantly spurring the social and

economic development of the province.

Under his administration the province was also able to acquire construction

equipments and machineries. The acquisition of such technological implements was

essential for the reason that the provincial government may now cut money spending and

increase the money it can save. Furthermore, upon acquiring the said equipment; it made

the provincial government less dependent on the central government, which used to

control the availability of equipment needed for construction before (Ingnacio, 1965: 4-

5).

To further promote the production of the agricultural industry, irrigations were

built to water hectares upon hectares of Isabela’s agricultural land. It should be noted that

Isabela is one of the chief producers of agricultural products such as rice and corn. So, the

creation of irrigations and watering systems was deemed necessary.

In spite of all the modern developments and projects he carriod on, he never let

the enivroment to be put on compromise. Natural resources and the environment were

also protected. Working with Forestry officials, the provincial government fought against

loggers, kaingeros and squatters who exploited the forests’ resources.

66

Almost every nook and corner of Isabela was touched by Mel’s lofty and sincere

intentions for its progress and well-being. But one didn’t have to go far to find concrete

evidence for his deep concern for his people. Through his own initiative, he was able to

increase the wages of employees under the local governments. At that time, it was the

highest recorded in the Cagayan Valley Region. This was in response to the relatively

low wages of employees, some of whom unintentionally resorted to certain immoral

practices to make ends meet. As a governor, he truly was a father of the province. He

actively fought for the welfare of the people who, like him were, public servants.

Through it, a resurgence of morality and belief in the government resurfaced and as a

consequence an honest, efficient and courteous civil service was established.

The provincial administration intensified tax collection and tax education and as a

result it yielded to higher revenues. Also, Mel was able to secure the approval for

establishing branches of the DBP, NBI and other government offices to the province.

From a perspective, this can be seen as somewhat making the people feel the presence of

the government which looks after their well-being and bringing the government closer to

them.

As a congressman, he created new municipalities, for the purpose of spurring

development. Those areas that used to be mere peripheries of a town were amalgamated

to form a new independent municipality. In terms of development, it would have its

separate share from the Internal Revenue Allotment and it could collect its own taxes

from which it could derive its funds. He also authorized provincial and municipal

governments to work with private parties in projects in line with his advocacy of greater

autonomy.

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He reinforced anti-smuggling bills and gave more ‘teeth’ to certain laws, hence

deterring criminals to commit offenses against the law.

Somehow, faith was restored in the government. He served as an exemplary

leader who was honest and clean. As mentioned earlier, never in his time as a public

official was his name involved in graft and corruption. As a matter of fact, he was

disgusted by the mentality of officials who enriched themselves while in office. Being

true to his words he did not take advantage nor improve his living while in public office.

Accordingly, he never allowed a member of his family to ride his official car without him

and also used it strictly for official purpose. Unlike today, public vehicles are used by

politician’s family and friends and are also parked in their homes. Because of such

example he was dubbed as “Mr. Good Government.” He worked conscientiously for the

benefit of the people of Isabela. LP Secretary General Senator Benigno Aquino was even

quoted saying “Mel’s public record as acting secretary or/and as congressman- can stand

any test, whether it be determined to elect only good men to public office or the toughest

test of them all: the test of his own conscience” (The Sunday Times, Magazine, 1971).

As a politician he did not resort to mudslinging. During campaigns he asked

judgment from the electorate on the basis of his services. Accordingly he accepted defeat

with honor and grace. He was quoted as saying “I will also humbly and nobly, without

rancor or malice, accept their verdict.”

As of that time upon the election of President Marcos, defection or bolting out of

the party was the trend. Rumors were circulating that he would defect to President

Marcos because they were classmates, former colleagues and friends. Mel was an

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exception. He was loyal to his party and remained a member of the Liberal Party until his

death.

It is also important to note that aside from his salient accomplishments in the field

of politics, he was part of various civic and charitable organizations. These organizations

included the Philippine Red Cross, Rotary Club, Lion’s Club and the Boy Scouts of the

Philippines. As a token of appreciation for his services, he was awarded by the

organizations: the Silver Humanitarian Cross and the Aragon Medal from the Red Cross,

Bronze Tamaraw, the Silver Usa and the Saint Dominic Savio Award from the Boy

Scouts. All in all, he was a recipient of more than 50 gold, silver and bronze awards,

plaques and certificates of merit given by various national, civic and charitable

organizations.

Undoubtedly, we can therefore say that Mel is a relevant figure in the history of

Isabela. Through his valiant efforts, changes were made in the socio-political and

economic aspects of the province. Moreover, the bills he passed did not only concern the

province but also the entire country as well. It affected not only a small number of people

but a multitude of them. Furthermore, Dionne Fallarme stated that:

No doubt Governor Singson is one of Isabela’s great political leaders. He may have had his lapses and shortcomings but most Isabelinos will hold him in high esteem even after he would have passed on to the other life. Even his most bitter political adversary at this time, who was once his political protégé, admits owing him much for his development as a politician. (Fallarme, 1987)

In addition to this, he occupied key positions within and outside the government

during his lifetime, which only a few had the privilege to hold. As a politician he was

held in high esteem both by the people of Isabela and his colleagues in the field of public

service. He had set numerous and exemplary projects in the province, that had benefitted

the people of Isabela.

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Aside from his political feats, he was also known as a man of integrity and

morality as recalled by the respondents and that he has affected their lives in one way or

another. Additionally, he was not only known as a good public servant but an excellent

lawyer as well, who showed compassion especially to his poor clients. We can therefore

say that the life that Melanio T. Singson had lived was a unique one and that he was a

product of his environment and that his actions and motivations were caused by the

environment which he lived in. And, through his actions he had changed and affected the

province of Isabela to a point that is too compelling to ignore.

As his grandson, knowing that he had truly served the province with no

compromise gives me a sense of pride. Bearing his name and knowing his character, it

serves as a challenge to me to bear the same integrity and competence as an individual

and as a member of society. Also, it is a responsibility to immortalize his legacy and his

contributions to the province through this study.

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Lodriguito, A. Interview by author, 14 March 2012. Field notes. Ilagan, Isabela.

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72

Scholarship grant to deserving Isabela studes bared by Singson. (1964). Northern Luzon Chronicle.

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RADIO TRANSCRIPTION

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APPENDIX A PHOTOGRAPHS

Figure 1. Photograph shows the finalists in the 28th Annual Oratorical Contest of the U.P. College of Law. From left to right: Fidel Sicam, Jose Calderon, Dominador La Madrid, Gloria Villanueva, Felipe Lopez and Melanio Singson. (The Philippine Collegian, 1940).

Figure 2. THE SINGSON FAMILY- Front row, from left; Florencio, Melanio Jr., Mrs. Dolores Singson, Benjamin (on Singson’s lap), ex-Rep. Melanio Singson, Lourdes Singson Bahia, Victor. Back row: Tomas, Aurora, Alfonso, Alicia, Socorro (Weekly Nation, 1971).

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Figure 3. Vice-President Diosdado Macapagal, national coalition campaign manager, recently proclaimed Atty. Melanio Singson the official gubernatorial bet in Isabela during a mammoth rally in Ilagan. Photo shows the Vice- President and House Minority Floor Leader Ferdinand Marcos raising the hands of Singson.

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Figure 4. Photo shows Melanio T. Singson (standing fourth from left), selected as one of the 10 Outstanding Congressmen in the year 1967 by the Philippine Free Press.

Figure 5. The photo is the official COMELEC tabulation of votes cast for the Philippine Senate election on 1971 (Manila Bulletin, 1971).

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APPENDIX BTRANSCRIPTIONS

Name: Aurora S. TabangayOccupation: BusinesswomanAddress: M. Singson Ave., Calamagui 2nd, Ilagan, Isabela

Interviewer: Sino at ano po ang mga magulang ni lolo?

Aurora Tabangay:Ang mga magulang raw nang lolo mo, mga industrious merchants na nagbebenta nang kumot, mga mwebles sa bahay. Very industrious daw ang parents niya can you imagine three lawyers in the family plus a teacher. Two boys and two girls sila.

I:Sino-sino po ang mga kamag-anak ni lolo sa Ilocos?

AT:Kamag anak ni Daddy sila Fariñas, Encarnacion, Villanueva, mga old families nang Vigan. Alam mo ba close friend niya so Marcos noon, magkaklase sila sa ilang subjects sa UP Law. Marcos, would stay in Vigan before going home to Batac.

I:Paano po napadpad si lolo sa Isabela, Auntie?

AT:Si daddy, migrant yan from Ilocos. Si Uncle Vicente municipal fiscal sa Bayombong. Nakilala ni Daddy si Mommy dahil sa asawa ni uncle na taga Santiago rin na close rin sa pamilya nang lolo ko. Uncle Vicente would visit my grandparents’ in Santiago at dun niya nakita ang mommy ko na at that nag-dadalaga. Sinabi ni uncle Vicente kay mommy na pag nakatapos sa pag-aabogado si daddy, ipapaasawa raw niya siya sa kanya. Ayun, nung nag-graduate nagpakasal nga sila.

I:Eh, papaano po sila Mommy Dor at si Lolo, tsaka pano po sila bilang mag-asawa?

AT: Naalala ko si Mommy umiiyak yan, habang nilalabhan niya mga damit naming noon, wala pa kaming kasama. Sabi ni daddy, Mommy, pasensya ka muna ha hindi naman magiging ganito ang buhay natin forever and true to his words because of his industry he was able to improve our lives, as we used to live behind the old public market and by 1959 we moved to this place. My father was a very dominant person pero may times yun na napagtatampo nang mommy ko. Siya ang umaalis sa bed nila. Tatawagin ako para maglapag kami nang kutson niya at dun siya matutulog. Sabi ko nga napaka dominante nang Daddy ko pero kayang-kaya pala nang mommy ko. Siguro sensitive si daddy pag may nasasabi si Mommy, na hindi ko akalaing ganun.Kung nagtatampo, ako ang tatawagin at sasabihin “balasang ko, lutuan mo na lang ako nang pagakain ko ha? At galit nag alit ang mommy mo.”

I: Ano naman po ang pagkatao ni lolo?

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AT:Nung abogado pa lang siya pagpobre ang kliyente niya, one time nakaharap pa nga ako bukod sa pinakain niya na ng lunch sa bahay, ngabigay ng 50 pesos kay daddy sabi niya “hindi na mas kailangan mo yan.” So, makikita mo yung pagkatao niya na maawain, compassionate.Noong Martial Law, he went back to the province and practiced law. Daddy made good and earned a lot from his practice. Pag Chinese raw yung talagang rate niya ang sinsingil niya. Pag pobre naman daw hindi na, kahit manok noon binabayad sa kanya, pero binabayaran pa rin ni daddy noon. Through his law practice, he was well known and eventually exposed him to the people and province of Isabela

I:Paano naman po siya as a father?

AT:At 6 o’clock if you are not yet in the house, otherwise you know what comes next, apart from discipline, cleanliness was important not only physically but spiritually. . Mula pa noong maliliit kami cleanliness na at hygiene ang importante, before the day starts and before going to bed. Also, humility, much so when he was governor for the first time I remember he once said “There is only one Governor in this house and that is me, you have no privilege” ganun niya kami pinalaki noon, na hindi kami conscious na daddy was occupying a high position, that we were nothing, although he was somebody we are not in equal footing we were not allowed to use his car na official unless kasama siya. May isang kotse kami noon na sundo’t hatid kami. But never his official car not even my Mommy and never did my mommy go to his office for anything, except during programs when her presence was needed ganun lang. Otherwise wala si daddy lang ganun siya. During meals, he is conscious of table manners. Lahat ng utensils properly used, tahimik kami pag kasama namin siyang kumakain.Kung ayaw mong kumain ng gulay he’d put it on your plate so you’d eat vegetables. You are obliged to eat that kung hindi, hindi ka niya papatayuin.

I:Papaano naman po siya as a provider?

AT:He was the best because he provided for all of us, he was considerate. Stockholder si daddy diyan sa Saint. Ina-apply niya yung dividends niya noon sa tution fee namin. Apart from providing our needs hindi mo masasabing may pagkukulang, kasi binigay niya lahat nang kaya niyang ibigay whether it was a pair of shoes kasi sa dami naming, kung bibilhan ang isa, bibilhan ang lahat He was able to send us to the best schools.

I:Nung governor po siya may perks po ba kayo?

AT: Nung pulitiko siya obligado kami magsilbi sa mga tao pag kumakain sila. Minsan nga na-nanonood ako nang sine tinawag ako nang driver sabi marami raw tao sa bahay at pinapatawag raw ako ni daddy para tumulong. Ganon ang gusto niya, kahit mga ordinaryong tao na nagpupunta sa bahay pinagsisilbihan namin.

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I:Ano po yung mga priorities ni lolo noon nung governor siya?

AT: 1st attempt niya he lost, ang nilalaban ng politicians nun qualifications, wala pang pera-pera noon. Limitado pa ang pondo niya nun eh, yung second attempt niya nanalo na siya overwhelming naman na. As governor he prioritized roads, feeder roads, farm-to-market roads were his priority. Drying facilities tulad nang solar pavements. He started the construction of a road that would go to Palanan somewhere here in Tumauini. Tapos, yung creation nang towns.After graduating from UP on 1969. Senator Aqunio back then was able to get 5 Filipino scholarships to Russia,I really didn’t want to go. Mga anak rin ng mga congressman kasama ko. Sila Barbero, Lapuz. Lima kaming napili. Ang inayawan ko talaga kaya bumalik ako rito [ay] sila lahat naka diplomatic passport, ako lang ang ordinary. Ayaw ni daddy pe-pwede rin sana ako. Ako dun sa likod sila sa first class. He wanted to put everything in order yung tama lang, hindi ako nagtagal.

I:Ano pa po yung ibang mga posisyon na hinawakan ni lolo noon?

AT: He was supposed to be appointed as executive secretary, pero iba pala ang manok ni Eva Macapagal, later on he was first made as Undersecretary of Justice and then eventually became the Acting Secretary of Justice before he was made to run for Congress. Andiyan na yung eroplano sa Cauayan noon eh, hinihintay na lang yung pagluwas naming lahat, buong pamilya, biglang may tumawag.

I:May mga narinig po ba kayong mga salita na against kay lolo?

AT: In politics I never head anybody say Daddy was corrupt, because kung may projects binubuhos niya talaga. Wala naman silang masabi noon kundi personal. Mommy ko daw hindi marunong ngumiti wala eh kamo noon ang inaantake. Kung nakikinig kami noon sa radio sabi ni daddy wag na kaming makinig. Wala namang nagsabi na nagnakaw ang daddy ko. Yung nagloan pa siya para sa bahay sa Manila. Tignan nila ang records na nasa GSIS na matagal niyang binayaran yun, kasi nagmintis siya. He had to sell our house in Kamias to pay for that. When he ran for senator he sold other properties. Wala naman siyang pera kaya kailangan niyang magbenta for his camapaign.

I:After po nang stint niya as a politician ano po yung mga pinagkaablahan niya?

AT: Last na position ni daddy nun ay as OIC-Governor aftern nun he once again accepted legal cases that brought him to various provinces in the country like Kalinga, Apayao and Ifugao. As when he started as a new practicing lawyer, the diligence, industry, and dedication to his profession remained the same as he was getting older. When he was younger, Judges were intimidated by him because at certain points in the trial of the cases he would lecture them on legal principles

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and the like. New lawyers in Isabela came to him for legal advice and rising political figures in the province sought his help and advice. There was the so-called “Singson Day” in the various courts in Isabela as all his cases were heard in one sala from morning to afternoon.He was also preparingfor my mother who never worked in her life, my father told my mother I’m doing this for you, if I go ahead you’ll have money, I do not want you to be begging.

I:Ano naman po ang naging cause of death ni lolo?

AT: Liver cirrohsis, wala siyang bisyo. Ang analysis nang doctor nung mga araw na kumakandidato siya he went to the barrios and ate something. Usually, nakukuha yan sa unsanitary food preparation, yung virus raw or bacteria nang ganung sakit nag-iincubate sa katawan nang tao for 20 years bago maging full blown na sakit. Eventually namatay siya sa St. Luke’s noong January 27, 1992

I:Auntie, sa tingin niyo po ano po yung legacy ni lolo?

AT: His good name. He tried his best to live an honest life, his principles and reputation were unquestionable. He lived a life that was a model not only to us his children but to others as well. He lived what he preached.During Martial Law, daddy was offered to become one of the Supreme Court Justices; he turned it down because he was strongly against Martial Law. Even though he was friends with Marcos, Daddy stood by the principles he believed in. His loyalty was remarkable, as a politician he was an LP through and through, they called him an LP stalwart. He never changed parties during his life time. He never did and they respected him for that To serve with dedication, integrity and honesty, those where the principles he believed in and practiced in whatever public office he served

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Name: Rosalina N. QueriAge: 70Occupation: Barangay Secretary Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela

Interviewer: Paano ninyo po ba nakilala si Melanio T. Singson?Rosalina Queri: I started working in the service of the Government, particularly in the

office of Honorable Melanio T. Singson, Provincial Governor of Isabela in 1963 as a stenographer. Then as a provincial based stenographer 4 months later. Then I had a brief stint in the Office of the Agrarian Council for 11 months before the newly elected Congressman of the Lone District of Isabela called me to work as his stenographer in his office in Congress in 1965-1969. Then when he was designated as OIC-Governor in 1966-1988 after the EDSA Revolution, he called me again to join his staff at the Provincial Capitol of Isabela for 18 months. So for 8 years, I had the occasion to work for Hon. Melanio Singson in public service. Later, in his law office, during Saturdays and Sundays, I also worked for him helping preparing his pleadings, appeal briefs and related work in his private practice of law for 7 years. So I had the occasion to know the man.

I: Ano po ba ang pagkakakilala niyo sa kanya?RQ: Governor Melanio Singson was a well known and revered leader in the Province of

Isabela and later as Representative of the Lone District of Isabela in 1965-1969. He distinguished himself as a consistent “Most Outstanding Congressman” of Isabela in his 4-year term. Before his election as Congressman in 1965, he was appointed Undersecretary of Justice by then President Diosdado Macapagal, not only because of his integrity and probity but also because he was considered the “Best Legal Luminary in Isabela.”

Kilala ko rin siya bilang isang mahusay na tao. He is very bright. During his sessions in Congress, whenever he interpolated or argued for or in defense of a bill, his colleagues and people at the Congress gallery watched and listened in awe andadmiration because Congressman Singson was a brilliant speaker. And we members of his staff, often sneaked out of office just to listen to him. We also basked in reflected glory, especially in some celebrated cases in which he chaired the powerful Committee on Good Government.

He is among the ranks of popular names, you know. His best friends were: Senator Gerry Roxas, Senator Jovito Salonga, Senator Ninoy Aquino who frequented our office. Famous personalities came to interview him such as Jose Guevarra of the Philippine Free Press, Kerima Polatan, Teodoro Locsin and others.

I: Nakikita mo bang importanteng tao siya sa kasaysayan ng Isabela? RQ: Napakaimportanteng kasama siya sa kasaysayan ng Isabela. His reputation was

unblemished, no corruption issues or immorality and his conduct in office is worthy of emulation. He was the first Isabelino who was appointed to the position of Undersecretary, then Secretary of Justice in 1965. As a governor, all projects of the government, before implementation, passed in the hands of a screening committee known as the “Committee on Awards” and there were no shady deals or whatever irregularity that occurred, since he was fair and democratic in dealing with his colleagues in the Provincial Board.

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I: Bilang isang pulitiko, ano ang masasabi mo sa paraan niya ng pagpapalakad at pagpapatakbo ng probinsya?

RQ: May transparency sa pamamalakad niya at hindi siya naging diktador dahil sumasangguni siya sa mga kasama sa Provincial Board bago isagawa ang isang bagay. Maayos at walang anumang alitan o hidwaan sa pagitan nilang magkakasama. Ang tema ng kanyang pamamahala ay “Keep Isabela Moving Forward.”

I: Did he personally affect you in anyway?RQ: Yes, very much! As my first employer in the public service when Governor Melanio

first talked to me as as he scanned my information sheet or resume and after reading the essay that I wrote 10 minutes earlier than his interview, he asked me: “Did you really write this?” “Yes, sir,” was my answer. Then he said, “How would you like to stay in my office?” How could I have refused a Governor offering me a job?

I: Kamusta naman po yung inyong karanasan sa pgtratrabaho para sa kanya?RQ: I noticed everything in his office and that of the staff was spic and span, no clutter

on desktops, books and equipment well-arranged and it seemed the most wholesome environment to work in. Every morning before typing we spruced up our typewriters, no specks of dust to be seen and the keys of our typewriters were well-brushed before and after using them, then properly covered before we leave the office at the end of the day. So in all offices I worked with after my stint in the Office of the Governor and later in the House of Representatives, I always made it a point to clean the typewriter and maintain neatness in letters I type because they are reflections of me and I always give my work the best shot. I am not 70 years old, a senior citizen, working as Barangay Secretary of Alibagu and my commitment to my job and my being a perfectionist are the best legacies I learned from my first and best employer ever the Hon. Melanio T. Singson!

I: Sa inyong palagay, ano ang mga kanyang naging importanteng kontribusyon sa Isabela?

RQ: His noteworthy contributions in the history of Isabela were the creation of the municipalities of Benito Soliven, Magsaysay which is now known as Delfin Albano, and San Isidro, Isabela. Several infrastructure projects like the Dalibubob Overflow bridge in Jones, Isabela and flood control projects in several municipalities were constructed during his term.

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Name: Bonita SalvadorAge: 70Occupation: Seamstress

Interviewer: Paano ninyo po nakikilala si Melanio T. Singson?Bonita Salvador: Kasalukuyang barangay captain ang aking asawa ng maging

Gobernador ng Probinsya si Kagalang-galang Melanio T. Singson.I: Ano po ang pagkakakila ninyo sa kanya?BS: Ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya ay isa siyang matuwid na public servant. Wala kang

maririnig na kahit na anong anomalya na kanyang kinasangkutan, magaling na abogado at mabuting asawa at ama sa kanyang 10 supling.

I: Nakikita mo bang importanteng tao siya sa kasaysayan ng Isabela?BS: Oo. Siya ang kauna-unahang Isabelino na nailagay sa posisyon na Undersecretary.

Pagkatapos Secretary of Justice noong 1965. Bilang gobernador, lahat ng poryekto niya sa gobyerno bago ipatupad, dumadaan muna sa isang kumite na nagbabantay sa mga proyekto ng probinsya.

I: Bilang isang pulitiko, ano ang masasabi mo sa paraan niya ng pagpapalakad at pagpapatakbo ng probinsya?

BS: Isa siyang tapat, mabuting pulitiko sa kanyang sinasakupan. May dedikasyon sa kanyang trabaho at may prinsipyo sa kanyang pagkatao at higit sa lahat hindi siya naging diktador sa kahit anong paraan.

I: Maliban ditto, sa inyong palagay, ano po kanyang naging mga importanteng kontribusyon sa Isabela?

BS: Unang-una, sa barangay na sinasakupan ng aking asawa, nabigyan ng multi-purpose pavement na ginagamit ng aming buong mamamayan. Mayroon din siyang mga lugar na ginawang munisipalidad.

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Name: Ma. Alicia TumanengAge: 59Occupation: Stenographer

Interviewer: How do you know Melanio T. Singson?Ma. Alicia Tumaneng: I have know Hon. Melanio T. Singson as an honest, efficient and

kind person. As a politician, he has an uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles. And as a father, he is a good provider, loving, and God-fearing man. HE is strict but in a right manner. He is a disciplinarian and that is manifested in all his children at present.

I: Do you see him as an important and relevant figure in the course of history of Isabela?MAT: Yes, he had set many good and exemplary projects in our province.I: Ano naman po ang masasabi ninyo sa paraan niya ng pagpapalakad ng probinsya?MAT: Napakahusay! Sa kanya ko natutuhan at lagi kong sinasabi pati na sa mga anak ko

na, “ang lahat ng tao ay pantay-pantay, walang mayaman at mahirap.” Ito ang hindi ko malilimutan na ginawa ni Melanio Singson sa mga preso noon. Lagi niyang binibisita ang mga ito at laging tinatanong bawat isa sa kanila kung trinatrato sila ng maayos ng mga security guards. At kung mahirap ka man, inaasikaso ka niya pag pinupuntahan siya sa bahay man o sa opisina. Malinis ang pamamahala niya. Hindi siya naging kurakot dahil batid naming sa siya’y Maka-Diyos. Mahusay siyang makihalo-bilo sa mga tao niya. Maihahanay noon ang Isabela na isa sa maayos, matahimik, malinis at maasenong probinsya noong kanyang termino.

I: Sa inyo po bang palagay, ano ang kanyang importanteng kontribusyon sa Isabela?MAT: Ang katahimikan, peace and order, at integrity.

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Name: Aurelia Lodriguito Age: 60Occupation: Government Employee

Interviewer: How do you know Melanio T. Singson as a person or figure in Isabela?Aurelia Lodriguito: He is a brilliant lawyer, God-fearing and disciplinarian. He is a

former Congressman and Governor of Isabela.I: Do you see him as an important figure in the history of Isabela?AL: Yes, because he served as Congressman and Governor of Isabela honestly and

dedicated public servant.