Senator Decoroso R. Rosales
Decoroso who was born on December 20, 1907 in Calbago, Calbayog, Samar. He was the son of Basilio Rosales and Aqueda Ras. He was the brother of Julio Rosales who became a cardinal and archbishop of Cebu. Cardinal Rosales an elder brother, having been born a year earlier (September 18, 1906) served the people of Cebu and Visayas as its spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church for decades. Cardinal Rosales was promoted Metropolitan See of Cebu (Archbishop) on December 17, 1949. On April 28, 1969 was elevated to cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
Decoroso, not known to many, not only served the people of Leyte and Samar but also the people of Cebu during the World War II, having been assigned in the Civil Affairs of the Cebu Area Command headed by Colonel James N. Cushing. Decoroso "Cosoy" Rosales also assisted Governor Hilario Abellana in setting up the civilian government in the areas not yet occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army. He rose to the rank of colonel at the end of the war.
It was also Senator Rosales, then colonel of the Cebu Area Command, who ordered that the Cebu Technological University, Argao, Cebu then called as Cebu State College of Science and Technology and Forestry College be an extension school of the Cebu Provincial High School in Cebu City in February 17, 1945.
Decoroso earned his Associate of Arts in 1920 and Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines. He was admitted to the Bar on February 4, 1933.
His entry in politics was running against Jose Avelino (who was also a senator and who would run as president in 1949 but lost to Elpidio Quirino) in 1941. Avelino was at that time the Secretary of Public Works and political kingpin of Samar. Rosales won however he was not able to assume office as World War II broke out in the Pacific, when the Japanese Imperial Army bombed Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941.
Rosales run for governor of Samar after the War, this was in 1947. He lost, as his political mentor, Don Sergio Suico Osmeña, was already ageing and run under his political banner (Rosales was a loyal Osmeña supporter). Rosales lost the election against the candidate of President Manuel Acuna Roxas. In 1951 Rosales again run for governor, this time he defeated Baltazar Avelino.
But his victory was bitter-sweet, as he was politically persecuted, a case for defamation was filed against him, was imprisoned and denied bail. His mother, Aqueda died of stroke believed to have been caused by emotional pity for his son's political problems.
In 1953, he was elected chairman of the League of Governors and the City Mayors of the Philippines. The League was dominated for years by Visayans, aside from Rosales, fellow Visayans like Governor Mariano Jesus Cuenco and son, Dr. Manuel also became chairmen of the League.
Decoroso was elected senator under the Nacionalista Party in the elections held on November 8, 1955. Rosales ranked 8th, it was dominated by the Nacionalista Party. The election in 1955 was a midterm election during the presidency of the very popular Ramon Magsaysay, thus his candidates won in the elections. Tailing Senator Rosales in 9th placed was Diosdado Macapagal of the Liberal Party. The first place was Pacita Madrigal, followed by Lorenzo Sumulong, then Quintin Paredes, Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Pedro Sabido, Claro M. Recto, and Domocao Alonto. Rosales term was up to 1961.
In 1971, Decoroso Rosales was elected Delegate of the Constitutional Convention. He was likewise appointed by President Corazon Aquino on April 23, 1986 as Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and actively participated in the deliberations and became chair of the Committee on Preamble and National Territory.
Decoroso married Rosita Sepulveda, also of Cebuano descent.
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