Congressman Miguel Cuenco

Decades ago, the people of Alegria, Cebu erected three statues in their Plaza after members of the Cuenco family. These were: Mariano Jesus Cuenco (Governor of Cebu and Senate President), Dr. Manuel A. Cuenco (Governor of Cebu) and the third, Miguel D. Cuenco.

Miguel D. Cuenco was one of the sons of spouses Mariano Albao Cuenco of Sogod, Cebu and Remedios Lopez Diosomito of Baybay, Leyte. He was born on December 15, 1904, his elder brothers were Jose Ma. Cuenco, who became a priest and Archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo, and Mariano Jesus Cuenco.

Miguel, earned his Liberal Arts degree at the Colegio de San Carlos at the age of 14. He then took up Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas finishing at the age of 18. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar on November 16, 1926. He was sent to the United States for further studies, he enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington, District of Columbia, took up Diplomacy and International Relations. He also went to Harvard University.

Miguel ran for Congress in the old 5th District of Cebu in 1931. He replaced his elder brother, Don Mariano Jesus who was Congressman from 1912 to 1928. Miguel was the Representative of the District from 1931 up to 1965, except only in 1946 to 1949, where Dr. Leandro Tojong was its Congressman. Dr. Tojong also became Mayor of Cebu City, and a street is named after him.

Congressman Miguel authored Republic Act 709, the law that made obligatory the teaching of Spanish in all courses of private and public universities and colleges in the Philippines. The law was approved on June 5, 1952 and was implemented in the school year 1952-1953.

Miguel married at the age of 43, his wife was Fara Remia Jalbuena Ledesma of Iloilo. They were married on May 27, 1948. Her wife Fara, was born on August 13, 1913, from Juan Villalobos Ledesma and Purificacion Ireneo Jalbuena. A child, Marietta who grew up in adulthood (the other two, Juan Miguel and Maria died during childhood) married Antonio Casas Cuyegkeng II of Iloilo. His wife, Fara died on September 2, 1983. Miguel graciously gave way the district to his grandnephew Antonio V. Cuenco in the 1965 elections. Congressman Miguel retired from politics on December 17, 1965. His grandnephew Antonio known to many as Tony, became the youngest Congressman of the 6th Congress, elected at the age of 29.

Miguel died at the age of 86 on June 30, 1990.