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Agnes Magpale

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In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Dimataga, the birth surname or paternal family name is Almendras, and the marital name is Magpale.

The Honorable
Agnes Magpale
Magpale in 2019
Vice Governor of Cebu
In office
May 10, 2011 – June 30, 2019
GovernorGwendolyn Garcia
(2011–13)
Hilario Davide III
(2013–19)
Preceded byGregorio Sanchez Jr.
Succeeded byHilario Davide III
Governor of Cebu
Acting
In office
December 19, 2012 – June 30, 2013
Preceded byGwendolyn Garcia
Succeeded byHilario Davide III
Member of the Cebu Provincial Board from the Cebu's 5th congressional district
In office
June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
In office
June 30, 2004 – May 10, 2011
Personal details
Born
Agnes Dimataga Almendras

(1942-01-21) January 21, 1942 (age 83)
Danao, Cebu, Philippines
Political party
SpouseArsenio J. Magpale
Children
  • Josefina Patricia
  • Jose Paolo
  • Miguel Antonio
RelativesAlmendras family, including brother Rene
Alma mater
OccupationPresident of Northeastern Cebu Colleges

Agnes Almendras Magpale (born Agnes Dimataga Almendras on January 21, 1942) is Filipina educator, farmer, and retired politician who previously served as Acting Governor (2012–2013), Vice Governor (2011–2019), and Board Member (1992–2001; 2004-2011) of the Province of Cebu.[1]

Magpale entered politics in Danao City, serving as its Vice Mayor, after which she was elected as Board Member representing Cebu's 5th district from 1992 until 2001, and again from 2004 until 2011. Following her 2010 election as the Board Member with the highest number of votes, Magpale succeeded as Vice Governor following the death of incumbent Gregorio Sanchez Jr. in May 2011, and became Acting Governor in December 2012 during the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, serving all in all three offices within a single three-year term.[1]

Magpale was elected to two more terms as Vice Governor in 2013 and 2016 alongside her ally and running mate Governor Hilario Davide III. Following her gubernatorial run in 2019 and subsequent loss to Garcia, Magpale retired from politics after 34 years in public service.[1]

Early life and education

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She was born Agnes Dimataga Almendras in Danao[2] on January 21, 1942. The eldest child of Josefino Durano Almendras of Danao and Rosita de la Serna Dimataga of Opon (now Lapu-Lapu City),[3] she attended at St. Theresa's College in Cebu City.[4] Then, she graduated with an Associate in Arts at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 1959, acquired a bachelor's degree in nutrition at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1963, and a master's degree in nutrition at the Drexel University in 1965.

Additionally, she earned a Certificate in Local Administration and Development from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and University of the Philippines, as well as Doctoral in Organizational Development and Transformation at the Cebu Doctors College.[3]

Political career

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Magpale established her political career in her hometown of Danao[3] and considered the local political leader, her cousin Ramon Durano III, as her mentor.[2] In over two decades in public service, she was known for her concerns for women's and children's rights.[3]

Vice Mayor of Danao

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At the age of 27,[5] her political career began in 1971 when she was elected Danao Vice Mayor.[1][3]

Cebu Provincial Board Member

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After she quit politics for 13 years to take care of her children,[5] she campaigned and was voted as member of the Cebu Provincial Board representing the 5th legislative district in 1992 and having been elected with the highest number of votes, she served as Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore for three consecutive terms until 2001.[3]

In 2001, she took a break from politics,[6] and she worked as the President of the Northeastern Cebu Colleges for a year.[7] President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed her as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in the same year.[3]

She again was voted to the Provincial Board and served for consecutive terms in 2004, 2007, and 2010.[8]

Vice Governor (2011–2013)

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Upon the death of Gregorio Sanchez Jr. due to lung cancer on April 29, 2011,[9] she was sworn as Vice Governor of the province of Cebu on May 10, 2011[2] to serve the remaining unfinished term of Sanchez.[9] An electoral protest before the Commission on Election was ongoing against Sanchez filed by businessman Glenn Soco, thus her seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan remained vacant in the case that the protest would be decided in favor of Soco.[2] Her assumption to the post was by virtue of her being the member of the Provincial Board who garnered the highest number of votes in the 2010 election.[3]

On February 12, 2018, the Ombudsman ruled to dismiss then-Representative Gwendolyn Garcia based on the complaint Magpale filed in 2012 over the back-filling in the Balili property,[10] a portion of which was submerged underwater.[11] However, the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeals on May 12, 2019.[12]

Acting Governor (2012–2013)

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Magpale took her oath as acting governor while Garcia was suspended for six months on December 19, 2012.[3] Garcia's suspension, which was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on behalf of President Benigno Aquino III, stemmed from the administrative complaint filed by Gregorio Sanchez Jr. in 2010 in connection with hiring of contractual workers.[13][14] Garcia filed a temporary restraining order at the Court of Appeals,[15] stating that she had acted within the bounds of her office's authority,[16] and stayed in the Cebu Provincial Capitol until January 30, 2013,[17] while Magpale began her term as acting governor in the Legislative Building.[3]

Vice Governor (2013–2019)

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Magpale ran for the position of Vice Governor under the Liberal Party and won in 2013[18] and was reelected for a second term in 2016.[6]

On October 17, 2018, she filed her certificate of candidacy for Governor[19] under the Nationalist People's Coalition for the 2019 mid-term election.[20] On December 20, 2018, Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu's 3rd district filed charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against Hilario Davide III, Agnes Magpale, and four Capitol officers on alleged appointments on positions that were "not yet to be declared vacant".[21] Davide stated that the concerned appointments were in conformance to standard procedure.[22]

On March 26, 2019, Garcia together with Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay also filed an injunction against Davide, Magpale, several Capitol officials, contractor WT Construction Inc. and Development Bank of the Philippines from constructing the ₱1.5 billion, 20-story Cebu Provincial Resource Center.[23][24] Garcia alleged that contract for the building's construction was not authorized by the Provincial Board, while Davide claimed they complied the requisite protocols in pursuing the project.[24]

2019 gubernatorial campaign and retirement

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Magpale was defeated by Gwendolyn Garcia of PDP–Laban in the 2019 elections, with Garcia returning as Governor of Cebu.[25] She then announced her retirement from politics after 34 years in public service in order to spend more time with her grandchildren and enjoy taking care of her farm.[1]

Personal life

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Magpale was married to the late Arsenio J. Magpale, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, who died on April 4, 2010.[26] The couple had three children: Josefina Patricia, Jose Paolo, and Miguel Antonio "Migs."[3] Magpale's son, Migs, is a former Provincial Board Member and Danao City Councilor.

Magpale is a descendant of the Almendras and Durano families, both prominent Cebuano political clans. Her younger brother, Rene Almendras, served as Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary, Energy Secretary, and Cabinet Secretary under President Noynoy Aquino.[27] Her uncles were former Senator Alejandro "Landring" Durano Almendras and Vice Governor Priscillano Durano Almendras, who along with her father Josefino were sons of former Danao Mayor Paulo Gonzales Almendras.[28] Danao Mayor and former Vice Governor Ramon "Nito" Duterte Durano III, himself a cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is her second cousin.[29]

According to the 2018 statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, she was the richest elected official in Cebu province with personal properties amounting to ₱44.83 million. She served as the president of Northeastern Cebu Colleges, a family-owned enterprise, and had financial interests with JD Almendras Agro Industrial Development Corporation. Both businesses were located in Danao.[30]

Honors and Awards

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Magpale is a recipient of the following honors and awards:

  • Zonta Leadership
  • Garbo sa Danao
  • Ten Outstanding Cebuano UP Alumni Award
  • Cebuano Heritage Award
  • St. Theresa's College Achievers' Award[4]
  • 888 New Forum Award as chair of the committee on tourism and international affairs of the Provincial Board[31]
  • 2016 The Outstanding Cebuano Award[32]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e ""It's farm life, more family time" for Agnes Magpale soon". SunStar Cebu. June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Sollano, Jose P. (May 11, 2011). "Magpale is now vice governor". philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Israel, Dale G. (December 31, 2012). "Acting Gov. Magpale: Twice promoted". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Agnes Almendras Magpale: Competence, integrity, and passion | The Freeman". philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Magpale, Davide start campaign caravan in Danao City". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. March 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Fernandez, Rona Joyce T. (May 7, 2019). "Garcia, Magpale offer solutions to Cebu's woes". Sunstar. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  7. ^ "Vice-Governor Agnes Almendras Magpale". Cebu Provincial Government. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  8. ^ The history of Cebu, Philippines. Cebu (Philippines : Province), University of San Carlos. Cebu City. 2014. ISBN 9789719972235. OCLC 953176470.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. ^ a b Borromeo, Rene U. (April 30, 2011). "Vice Gov Sanchez dies of lung cancer". philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  10. ^ "Magpale notes 'discrepancies' in Balili contract". Sun Star Cebu. December 18, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Cupin, Bea (February 16, 2018). "Gwen Garcia and the Balili property: A tale of two controversies". Rappler. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "Timing of CA decision perfect: Gwen Garcia". Sunstar. May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  13. ^ Bernal, Buena (April 25, 2014). "CA clears Cebu's Garcia of grave misconduct in land deal". Rappler. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  14. ^ Sorote, Ryan (December 19, 2012). "Aquino suspends Cebu Gov Gwen Garcia". Rappler. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  15. ^ Mayol, Ador Vincent; Israel, Dale G. (January 31, 2013). "Gwen threatens to sue Agnes". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  16. ^ Sorote, Ryan (December 19, 2012). "Aquino suspends Cebu Gov Gwen Garcia". Rappler. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  17. ^ Burgonio, T. J. (January 31, 2013). "Padlocking of Garcia's office 'settles the issue,' says Aquino aide". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  18. ^ "LP's Davide beats Garcia for Cebu governor". Rappler. May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  19. ^ "Bets and last day of filing COCs". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. October 18, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  20. ^ "Certified List of Candidates (Provincial): Region VII" (PDF). Commission on Election. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  21. ^ Abatayo, Rosalie O. (January 2, 2019). "Garcia sues Davide, Magpale, Capitol execs; asks Ombudsman to suspend Capitol officials". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  22. ^ Abatayo, Rosalie O. (January 3, 2019). "Davide insists appointment of Rodas and Catan legal and above board". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  23. ^ Gravinez, Sheila C. (May 17, 2019). "P1.3-B project's fate 'rests with court, not with new gov'". Sunstar. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "Injunction raps filed vs. Cebu guv over building project". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  25. ^ Tizon, Micole Gerard (May 13, 2019). "Gwendolyn Garcia returns as Cebu's governor". Rappler. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  26. ^ "Retired judge Magpale passes away". Philippine Star. April 6, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  27. ^ "Magpale defends brother". The Freeman. January 12, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  28. ^ Almendras, Alex (April 25, 2014). "Senator Alejandro D. Almendras". Philippine Star. The Freeman. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  29. ^ "Danao's 'paltik' gun-making industry continues to thrive". Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  30. ^ "Magpale 'richest' Capitol official". Sunstar. April 30, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  31. ^ "888 New Forum awards Cebu leaders". philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  32. ^ "Magpale leads outstanding Cebuano awardees | The Freeman". philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
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