Ramon Torres (politician)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Araneta and the surname or paternal family name is Torres.

Ramon Araneta Torres (June 12, 1891 - February 21, 1975) was a Filipino politician who served in both houses of the Congress of the Philippines as well as the Cabinet of the Philippines.

The Honorable Ramon Torres
Senator of the Philippines
In office December 30, 1941 – December 30, 1951
Member of the House of Representatives from Negros Occidental's 2nd district
In office June 2, 1931 – September 16, 1935
Preceded by	Vicente Jiménez Yanson
Succeeded by	Pedro Hernaez
In office June 2, 1925 – June 5, 1928
Preceded by	Vicente Jiménez Yanson
Succeeded by	Vicente Jiménez Yanson
Governor of Negros Occidental
In office June 8, 1953 – September 12, 1953
Preceded by	Leon Miraflores
Succeeded by	Felix Amante
In office October 16, 1940 – December 30, 1941
Preceded by	Valeriano Gatuslao
Succeeded by	Antonio Lizares
Secretary of Labor
In office 1933–1936
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	Jose Avelino
Personal details
Born	(1891-06-12)June 12, 1891 Bago, Negros Occidental, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	February 21, 1975(1975-02-21) (aged 83) Bago, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Political party	Liberal (1946-1952) Nacionalista (1925-1946)
Occupation	Politician

Biography

Ramon Torres was born on June 12, 1891, in Bago, Negros Occidental to Francisco Torres and Irene Araneta.^[1]

In 1925, Torres was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives representing the 2nd district of Negros Occidental, serving until 1927. He returned to office in 1931 and served until 1935.^[2] During this time, Torres was concurrently appointed by Governor-General Frank Murphy to become the Philippines' first Secretary of Labor,^[1] continuing as such during the Commonwealth administration of President Manuel Quezon until 1936.^[3] During this time, he introduced and oversaw numerous reforms such as the eight-hour working day, mandatory medical attention for workers, the passage of Commonwealth Act 213 which defined and regulated labor unions and the Workmen's Compensation Act.^[1] In 1940, he was elected governor of Negros Occidental and served until 1941.^[1]

In November 1941, Torres was elected to the reestablished Senate of the Philippines. However, he and other senators were unable to assume their positions as scheduled due to the outbreak of the Pacific War and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines the following month. Torres formally took his oath as senator following Liberation in 1945 and was reelected in 1947. He served until 1951.^[4]

After leaving the Senate, Torres briefly served again as governor of Negros Occidental for three months in 1953.^[1]

Legacy

In recognition for Torres' efforts in securing the establishment of the first public high school in Bago in 1947, a high school in the town is named after him.^[5]

References

1. "EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 1825th REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF BAGO HELD ON JUNE 8, 2016 AT THE SP SESSION HALL, BAGO CITY" (PDF). City of Bago, OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
2. "ROSTER of Philippine Legislators (from 1907 to 2019)" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
3. "DOLE SECRETARIES: PAST AND PRESENT". Department of Labor and Employment. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
4. "List of Previous Senators". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
5. "ORDINANCE NO. 16-04. AN ORDINANCE RENAMING THE RAMON TORRES LOUISIANA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-BACONG EXTENSION TO RAMON TORRES BACONG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL" (PDF). City of Bago, OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD. Retrieved 26 January 2024.