{{Short description|Filipino politician (1935–2021)}} {{For|his son|Luis Raymund Villafuerte}} {{Philippine name|Robredo|Villafuerte}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Luis R. Villafuerte, Sr. | image = LRV Photo.png | image_size = 140px | caption = | office = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Camarines Sur | term_start = June 30, 2010 | term_end = June 30, 2013 | predecessor = Arnulfo Fuentebella | successor = Leni Robredo | constituency = 3rd District | term_start2 = June 30, 2004 | term_end2 = June 30, 2010 | predecessor2 = Sulpicio S. Roco | successor2 = Dato Arroyo | constituency2 = 2nd District | office3 = Governor of Camarines Sur | vice_governor3 = Salvio Fortuno (1995–1998)<br />Imelda Papin (1998–2004) | term_start3 = June 30, 1995 | term_end3 = June 30, 2004 | predecessor3 = Jose Bulaong | successor3 = Luis Raymund Villafuerte | vice_governor4 = Julian Cea Napal (1986–1988)<br />Jose Bulaong (1988–1992) | term_start4 = March 26, 1986 | term_end4 = June 30, 1992 | predecessor4 = Felix Fuentebella | successor4 = Jose Bulaong | office5 = Minister of Trade | term_start5 = 1979 | term_end5 = 1981 | predecessor5 = Roberto Ongpin | successor5 = ''Post dissolved'' (Ministry of Trade merged with Ministry of Industry) | office6 = Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Camarines Sur | term_start6 = June 30, 1984 | term_end6 = March 25, 1986 | alongside6 = | office7 = Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Region V | term_start7 = June 12, 1978 | term_end7 = June 5, 1984 | birth_name = Luis Robredo Villafuerte | birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1935|08|29}} | birth_place = Philippines | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|09|08|1935|08|29}} | death_place = Taguig, Philippines | resting_place = Manila Memorial Park – Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines | spouse = Nelly Favis-Villafuerte | children = 6, including Luis Raymund | relations = | alma_mater = University of the Philippines Diliman (LL.B) | occupation = Public servant | profession = Lawyer | signature = | website = | footnotes = | other_party = NPC (2007–2018)<br>KAMPI (2004–2007)<br>LDP (1988–2004)<br>UNIDO (1984–1988)<br>KBL (1978–1984) | party = Nacionalista (2018–2021) }} '''Luis Robredo Villafuerte Sr.''' (August 29, 1935 – September 8, 2021), often referred to by his initials '''LRV''', was a Filipino politician who served as Governor of Camarines Sur for 15 years and as a member of the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2013. He represented Camarines Sur's 2nd district from 2004 to 2010, and the 3rd district from 2010 to 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100514-269835/LP-to-pit-Belmonte-vs-Arroyo-for-Speaker|title=LP to pit Belmonte vs Arroyo for Speaker|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516033912/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100514-269835/LP-to-pit-Belmonte-vs-Arroyo-for-Speaker |archive-date=May 16, 2010|url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Early life and education== Villafuerte was the son of Mariano E. Villafuerte Sr., a lawyer who became a member of the National Assembly of the Philippines during the Commonwealth era and Governor of Camarines Sur during the Japanese occupation.<ref name="journal">{{cite news|url=https://journalnews.com.ph/ex-trade-minister-luis-villafuerte-sr-dies-at-86/#gsc.tab=0 |title=Ex-Trade minister Luis Villafuerte Sr. dies at 86 |work=Journal News |date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> During the liberation of Naga in May 1942, his father and his pregnant mother, Soledad Robredo Villafuerte, were on their way to Legazpi, Albay when were killed by members of the Tangcong Vaca Guerrilla Unit (TVGU) in Barrio Vito, Siruma in Camarines Sur for allegedly collaborating with the Japanese during World War II.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Barrameda |first1=Jose V. |title=In the Crucible of an Asymmetrical War in Camarines Sur, 1942-1945: The Story of the Tangcong Vaca Guerrilla Unit |date=2007|publisher=National Historical Institute |location=Ermita, Manila |isbn=978-971-538-205-2|pages=34–37, 211 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PfsLAQAAMAAJ |access-date=August 10, 2025 |quote=According to Mrs. [Matea] Madrid, E.V. nursed ill-feelings against [Mariano] Villafuerte because E.V. lost a civil case involving a piece of land that Villafuerte had handled as counsel for the opposing party years back.}}</ref> His elder brother, Mariano ("Titoy"; born 1929), later became vice mayor of Naga City.
Villafuerte graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law with a degree in law and was a member of the Sigma Rho fraternity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153184 |title=Panelo mourns death of ex-CamSur guv Luis Villafuerte Sr. |work=Philippine News Agency |date=September 10, 2021}}</ref> He subsequently worked in the private sector as a lawyer, businessman and investment banker based in the United States before becoming Senior Executive Vice President of the Bancom Development Corporation from 1965 to 1974.<ref name="journal"/>
==Politics== Villafurte was an assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1986. He also served as the Minister of Trade in the cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos from 1979 to 1981.<ref name="gma">{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/802604/former-camsur-congressman-luis-villafuerte-sr-dies-at-86/story/|first=Maria Angelica |last=Garcia|title=Former CamSur congressman Luis Villafuerte Sr. dies at 86|work=GMA News Online |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> However, he then broke with Marcos and joined the opposition UNIDO party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/12/09/opponents-of-marcos-struggle-for-unity/9748aaaf-d987-459e-b53f-a07c855e2dae/ |first=William |last=Branigin |title=Opponents of Marcos Struggle for Unity |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 8, 1985}}</ref> While campaigning for him during the 1984 Philippine parliamentary election, his sister-in-law Rosita Villafuerte, who was also the Vice Mayor of Sipocot, Camarines Sur, was assassinated after speaking at a rally.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deputy mayor killed at election rally|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/04/11/Deputy-mayor-killed-at-election-rally/5328450507600/|accessdate=September 24, 2022 |work=UPI |date=April 11, 1984}}</ref>
After Marcos was overthrown in 1986, Villafuerte served as Secretary of Government Reorganization under President Corazon Aquino.<ref name="gma"/> In 1988, Villafuerte was elected governor of Camarines Sur, but lost reelection in 1992 to his vice governor, Jose Bulaong. He defeated Bulaong and singer Imelda Papin in 1995 and was reelected in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2001/03/04/104599/villafuerte-camp-belittles-145ate-guy146 |title=Villafuerte camp belittles 'Ate Guy' |newspaper=The Philippine Star |date=March 4, 2001}}</ref> He defeated singer and actress Nora Aunor to win his third and final term as governor,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2002/04/13/157051/no-more-politics-nora |title=No more politics for Nora? |newspaper=The Philippine Star |date=April 13, 2002}}</ref> ending in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/08/ex-rep-villafuerte-longest-serving-camsur-governor-dies/ |title=Ex-Rep. Villafuerte, longest-serving CamSur governor, dies |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> At the same time, Villafuerte was the first president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines from 1988 to 1990 and from 1998 to 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/09/08/21/dating-camsur-gov-luis-villafuerte-sr-pumanaw-na |title=Dating Camarines Sur governor Luis Villafuerte, Sr. pumanaw na |work=ABS-CBN |date=September 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Presidents & Chairmen |url=https://lpp.gov.ph/past-presidents-chairmen-2/ |website=League of Provinces of the Philippines}}</ref> During his tenure, Villafuerte was accused of involvement in the Fertilizer Fund scam, but was acquitted in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1012173/sandigan-junks-villafuertes-p5-m-fertilizer-scam-case |title=Sandigan junks Villafuerte's P5-M fertilizer scam case |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 20, 2018}}</ref>
In 2004, he was elected to the House of Representatives representing Camarines Sur and served until 2013.<ref name="gma"/> As a legislator, Villafuerte authored 67 bills and laws, including Republic Act 10157, which mandated compulsory kindergarten education.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2021/09/09/395439/former-camsur-governor-villafuerte-86/|title=Former CamSur governor Villafuerte, 86 |newspaper=BusinessWorld|date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> He also supported proposals to split parts of Camarines Sur into a separate province to be called Nueva Camarines, which resulted in a feud with his son and successor as governor, Luis Raymund Villafuerte.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/52575/camarines-sur-gov-says-%E2%80%98split%E2%80%99-author-feeding-on-feud |title=Camarines Sur gov says 'split' author feeding on feud |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=September 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/03/23/789551/villafuertes-face-senate-hearing-camarines-sur-bill |title=Villafuertes face off in Senate hearing on Camarines Sur bill |work=The Philippine Star |date=March 23, 2012}}</ref>
In 2013, he ran again for governor but lost to his grandson Miguel Luis Villafuerte, which occurred during a falling-out between the two in which the latter was supported by his father, Luis Raymund. The three reconciled in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://peopleasia.ph/lray-migz-pay-tribute-to-the-late-camarines-sur-rep-luis-villafuerte-sr-%ef%bb%bf/ |title=LRay, Migz pay tribute to late Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte Sr. |work=People Asia |date=September 9, 2021}}</ref>
==Personal life and death== Villafuerte was married to Nelly Favis and had six children, including Luis Raymund Villafuerte, who also entered politics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luis-villafuerte-sr-dies/ |first=Rambo |last=Talabong |title=Bicol political kingpin Luis Villafuerte Sr dies |work=Rappler |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> thumb|Villafuerte's grave at Manila Memorial Park – Sucat. Villafuerte was the uncle of Jesse Robredo, whom he influenced to enter politics beginning with the mayorship of Naga in 1988. However, the two fell out in 1992 following allegations of corruption and jueteng involving the Villafuertes, which led to Villafuerte disowning Robredo<ref>{{cite news|date=April 25, 2025|title=Dismay over Leni's endorsements: yes to Pacquiao, Abalos; none for CamSur bets |work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/reactions-leni-robredo-2025-endorsements/ |access-date=April 26, 2025}}</ref> and attempting to have him disqualified from public office multiple times.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 21, 2012 |title=Jesse Robredo's journey back home |work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/10886-jesse-robredo-s-journey-back-home/ |access-date=April 26, 2025}}</ref>
Villafuerte died on September 8, 2021, at the St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City, at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1485417/ex-camsur-rep-luis-villafuerte-sr-86-passes-away|first=Neil Arwin |last=Mercado|title=Ex-CamSur Rep. Luis Villafuerte Sr. passes away|newspaper=INQUIRER.net |date=September 8, 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.congress.gov.ph House of Representatives Official website] * [http://i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/13thHouse/personal/villafuerte-personal.html Villafuerte, Luis Personal Information]
{{s-start}} {{s-par|ph-lwr}} {{s-bef|before=Arnulfo Fuentebella}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the House of Representatives<br>from Camarines Sur's 3rd district|years=2010–2013}} {{s-aft|after=Leni Robredo}} |- {{s-bef|before=Sulpicio S. Roco}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the House of Representatives<br>from Camarines Sur's 2nd district|years=2004–2010}} {{s-aft|after=Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Jose Bulaong}} {{s-ttl|title=Governor of Camarines Sur|years=1995–2004}} {{s-aft|after=Luis Raymund Villafuerte}} |- {{s-bef|before=Felix Fuentebella}} {{s-ttl|title=Governor of Camarines Sur|years=1986–1992}} {{s-aft|after=Jose Bulaong}} |- {{s-gov}} {{s-bef|before=Roberto Ongpin}} {{s-ttl|title=Minister of Trade|years=1979–1981}} {{s-non|reason=Post dissolved}} {{s-end}}
{{Martial EDSA |state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Villafuerte, Luis}} Category:1935 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Burials at the Manila Memorial Park – Sucat Category:Governors of Camarines Sur Category:Filipino Roman Catholics Category:Bicolano people Category:Nationalist People's Coalition politicians Category:Bicolano politicians Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Camarines Sur Category:Secretaries of trade and industry of the Philippines Category:People from Camarines Sur Category:Ferdinand Marcos administration cabinet members Category:Corazon Aquino administration cabinet members Category:Members of the Batasang Pambansa Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni Category:University of the Philippines College of Law alumni Category:20th-century Filipino lawyers Category:UNIDO politicians