Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado

Summary

Wilhelmino "Willy" Manucdoc Sy-Alvarado (born December 29, 1946) is a Filipino politician and businessman serving as the governor of Bulacan from 2010 to 2019.[2] He previously served as a Vice Governor of Bulacan from 2019 to 2022, then he served as the house representative for Bulacan's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2007 and Hagonoy Mayor from 1986 to 1998.

Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado
Sy-Alvarado in 2017
33rd Governor of Bulacan
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Vice GovernorDaniel Fernando
Preceded byJoselito Mendoza
Succeeded byDaniel Fernando
Vice Governor of Bulacan
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
GovernorDaniel Fernando
Preceded byDaniel Fernando
Succeeded byAlex Castro
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
GovernorJoselito Mendoza
Preceded byAurelio Plamenco
Succeeded byDaniel Fernando
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bulacan's 1st district
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byTeodulo Natividad
Succeeded byMa. Victoria Sy-Alvarado
Mayor of Hagonoy, Bulacan
In office
1986[a] – June 30, 1998
Appointed byCorazon Aquino
Preceded byHermie Perez
Succeeded byFelix Ople
Personal details
Born
Wilhelmino Manucdoc Sy-Alvarado

(1946-12-29) December 29, 1946 (age 77)
Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines
Political partyPDP–Laban (2021–present)[1]
Other political
affiliations
NUP (2011–2015; 2018–2021)
Liberal (2015–2018)
Lakas-CMD (2000–2011)
LAMMP (1997–2000)
LDP[citation needed] (1988–1997)
SpouseMaria Victoria Reyes
Children7 (including Jose Antonio)
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas (BS)

Early life edit

Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado was born on December 29, 1946, in Barangay Santo Rosario, Hagonoy, Bulacan to Jose Sy-Alvarado and Angelina Manucdoc. He was a consistent elementary and high school valedictorian.[3] He completed his high school education at Mayor Ramona S. Trillana High School (formerly Southern Institute) in Hagonoy.[4] He became a working student and earned his Bachelor of Science in commerce, major in Banking and Finance from the University of Santo Tomas, where he also earned units in Economics in 1967. He worked at Consolidated Bank for eleven years as a bookkeeper and as well involved in the aquaculture businesses, running a fishpond and sold bangus, shrimp, and crabs. He also worked as District Chairman of the Hagonoy Water District.[5][3]

On August 21, 1983, the day former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated, Sy-Alvarado and his wife Ma. Victoria helped feed those who attended the rallies denouncing the death of Aquino. He also participated during the campaign for the 1986 snap elections.[3]

Political career edit

Mayor of Hagonoy (1986–1998) edit

Sy-Alvarado entered politics when he was appointed as officer-in-charge mayor of Hagonoy, Bulacan by President Corazon Aquino through the help of Public Works and Highways Minister Rogaciano Mercado, also a former representative from Bulacan, in 1986. He was then elected in 1988 and served for three consecutive terms.[3]

Within this period, Sy-Alvarado received the Pag-asa Award for Outstanding Public Official of the Philippines by the Civil Service Commission in 1992.[5] As mayor, he was also the President of the Philippine Mayors League - Bulacan Chapter and the national Auditor of Philippine Mayors League.[4]

Congressman (1998–2007) edit

Upon finishing his term as mayor, Sy-Alvarado ran for congressman of First District of Bulacan in 1998. He won by a landslide victory the same year, where he served in the House of Representatives for two more terms. He was re-elected in 2001 and in 2004, thus serving for nine years.

Vice Governor of Bulacan (2007–2010) edit

In the 2007 elections, Sy-Alvarado teamed-up with former Governor Roberto Pagdanganan. His wife, Ma. Victoria ran to keep his seat in the Congress. Although Pagdanganan lost to Jonjon Mendoza, he and his wife were successful.

Governor of Bulacan (2010–2019) edit

Prior to the 2010 local elections, Sy-Alvarado voluntarily retired from vice-governorship to run for governor. He challenged former governor Josefina Dela Cruz for the seat at the provincial elections. It was also during the gubernatorial feud between Roberto Pagdanganan and Jonjon Mendoza. His running mate was former board member and actor Daniel Fernando. In the elections, he won over Dela Cruz. In 2013, he ran unopposed. He was also appointed by then-President Benigno Aquino III as the Regional Development Council Chairman for Region III, serving from May 2014 to June 2016.[4]

In 2016, he was re-elected, defeating Dela Cruz and San Miguel Mayor Roderick Tiongson.

Vice Governor of Bulacan (2019–2022) edit

Prior to the 2019 local elections, Sy-Alvarado switched places with incumbent vice-governor Daniel Fernando and ran for vice-governor as they are both term-limited; Fernando and Sy-Alvarado won the elections respectively, beating incumbent Malolos City mayor Christian Natividad and incumbent 5th District Board Member Josef Andrew Mendoza.

2022 gubernatorial bid edit

Sy-Alvarado ran for governor in 2022 under PDP–Laban, but lost to erstwhile long-time ally Governor Daniel Fernando. His running mate for vice governor was former Governor Jonjon Mendoza, who also lost.[1]

Personal life edit

He married Maria Victoria Reyes, whom he met while he was working full-time in the fishpond industry in 1976.[3] They have seven children.[4] She succeeded him and served as representative of the 1st district of Bulacan from 2007 to 2016.

Notes edit

  1. ^ Officer-in-charge from 1986 to 1987

References edit

  1. ^ a b Silverio, Frederick (October 7, 2021). "Fernando vs Alvarado for Bulacan governor". Manila Times. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "Bulacan's dela Cruz loses gubernatorial bid". ABS-CBN News. May 15, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado: Opening new frontiers for Bulacan". Philippines Graphic. December 16, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Vice Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado". Bulacan, Philippines. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (2010-2019)". Bulacan, Philippines.
Political offices
Preceded by
Hermie Perez
Mayor of Hagonoy, Bulacan
1987–1998
Succeeded by
Felix Ople
Preceded by
Aurelio Plamenco
Vice Governor of Bulacan
2007–2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Joselito Mendoza
Governor of Bulacan
2010–2019
Preceded by Vice Governor of Bulacan
2019–2022
Succeeded by
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by
Teodulo Natividad
Representative, 1st District of Bulacan
1998–2007
Succeeded by