Teófilo Sison

Teófilo Sison
Secretary of National Defense
In office November 1, 1939 – July 15, 1941
Appointed by	Manuel Quezon
Preceded by	Post established
Succeeded by	Manuel Quezon in concurrent capacity as President
Governor of Pangasinan
In office 1922–1925
Senator of the Philippines from the Second Senatorial District
In office 1928 – November 15, 1935 Served with: Camilo Osías (1928–1929) Alejandro de Guzman (1929-1931) Alejo Mabanag (1931–1935)
Preceded by	Alejo Mabanag
Succeeded by	Post abolished
Personal details
Born	(1880-02-29)February 29, 1880 Dagupan, Pangasinan, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died
Political party	Nacionalista Party

Teófilo L. Sison (February 29, 1880 – April 13, 1975) was a Philippine legislator and the first Secretary of National Defense of the Philippine Commonwealth.

Early life

Sison was born on February 29, 1880 in Dagupan, Pangasinan, to Benito Sison and Escolástica Leuterio.

He studied at the College of San Alberto Magno, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1896 and the University of Santo Tomas, B.A., in the same year. He taught in the public schools of Binmaley, Pangasinan from October 19o0 until June 1901.

Career

On July 1, 1901 he was appointed interpreter for the Court of First Instance Third Judicial District. It was during his term as court interpreter that he got married to Filomena Solis in Lingayen, Pangasinan on November 19, 1910. He served in such capacity until July 1, 1914, when he was reappointed to a similar position in the 5th District where he remained until September 30, 1914.

After he passed the Philippine Bar examination on September 7, 1914, he established his own law office and engaged in the active practice of his profession.

Legislative career

In June 1916, he was elected Municipal Councilor of Lingayen, a position he held until October 1919. He went on to become Provincial Governor of Pangasinan during the June 1922 election and was re-elected in the general elections of 1925.

Then in June 1928, he was elected for the Senatorial District, comprising the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union and Zambales. As Senator during the period 1928-1931, he was Chairman of the Committees on Civil Service and National Enterprise, and member of the following committees: Finance, Public Works and Communication, Appointments, Justice, Municipal and Provincial Governments, Election and Privileges, City of Manila, Commerce and Industry, Labor and Immigration.

During the 9th Legislative Assembly, he was chairman of the Committee of Justice and member of the following committees: Finance, Public Works and Communication, Appointments, Public Instruction, External Relations, Banks Corporations and Franchise, Commerce and Industry, City of Manila, Municipal and Provincial Governments, Labor and Immigration, Civil Service and Library.

Secretary of National Defense

He was appointed Secretary of National Defense in November 1, 1939 during the presidency of Manuel Quezon pursuant to the enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 1 or the National Defense Act.

File:FvfPangasinan230.JPG

Don Teofilo Sison Bridge, Carmen, Rosales

Death

He died two months after his 95th birthday on April 13, 1975. He was buried at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

See also

• List of Secretaries of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines

References

• Sison's Biography