Governor of Abra
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (December 2019) |
| Governor of Abra | |
|---|---|
| Gobernador ng Lalawigan ng Abra (Filipino) | |
Incumbent since December 9, 2024Atty. Russel A. Bragas (acting) | |
| Style | The Honorable |
| Seat | Abra Provincial Capitol |
| Term length | 3 years |
| Inaugural holder | Juan G. Villamor |
| Formation | 1902 |
The governor of Abra (Filipino: Punong lalawigan ng Abra) is the chief executive of the Philippine province of Abra, a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines. The position has evolved from a colonial military appointment to a democratically elected office.
Historical Background
[edit]The province of Abra was established as a comandancia politico-militar in 1846 during the Spanish colonial period. It was administered by a military governor appointed by the Spanish colonial government[1]. These governors, typically Spanish officers, exercised both civil and military authority, particularly in efforts to pacify local indigenous groups, collect tribute, and enforce colonial laws. The first capital of the province was the town of Bucay. Among the notable Spanish governors during this period were Don Ramon Tajonera y Marzal and Don Esteban de Peñarrubia[2].
Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Philippines came under American administration. In 1901, Colonel William Bowen was appointed as the military governor of Abra by the American colonial government[3]. The following year, in 1902, civil government was established in the province, and Juan G. Villamor, a lawyer and journalist, became the first Filipino civil governor. Villamor would later serve as a senator of the Philippines[4].
In 1905, under Act No. 1306 of the Philippine Commission, Abra was annexed to the neighboring province of Ilocos Sur as part of an administrative reorganization[5]. This status lasted until 1917, when Abra was reconstituted as a separate province through Act No. 2683.
With the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946, the governorship of Abra became an elective position. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the governor is elected by popular vote and serves a term of three years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
Current Structure
[edit]The governor is elected by popular vote and serves a term of three years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. The governor holds office at the Abra Provincial Capitol located in Bangued, the provincial capital. The official style of address is "The Honorable."
The governor is the highest-ranking official in the provincial government. The office exercises executive authority over all provincial departments and programs, ensures the enforcement of laws and ordinances, prepares the provincial budget, and represents the province in regional and national affairs. The governor also plays a key role in disaster response, peace and order, and development planning within the jurisdiction of the province.
As of June 30, 2022, the duly elected governor of Abra is Dominic B. Valera. However, on December 9, 2024, Atty. Russell A. Bragas assumed the position of acting governor following the preventive suspension of Governor Valera due to administrative charges[6]. Bragas had previously served as acting vice governor and took office as acting governor pursuant to an order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
List of Governors
[edit]Below is a chronological list of Abra’s civil governors during the American period and the post-independence era:
| No. | Image | Governor[7] | Term | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .jpg?lang=en)
|
Don Juan G. Villamor | 1902–1904 | |
| 2 | .jpg?lang=en)
|
Don Joaquin J. Ortega | 1904–1914 | |
| 3 | Don Rosalio G. Eduarte | 1914–1916 | ||
| 4 | 
|
Don Julio V. Borbon | 1916–1922Virgilio | |
| 5 | .jpg?lang=en)
|
Don Virgilio V. Valera | 1922–1925 | |
| 6 | 
|
Don Eustaquio P. Purugganan, MD | 1925–1930 | |
| 7 |
|
Don Virgilio V. Valera | 1930–1936 | |
| 8 | Don Bienvenido N. Valera | 1936–1939 | ||
| 9 |
|
Don Eustaquio P. Purugganan, MD | 1939–1941 | |
| 10 | Atty. Bernardo V. Bayquen | 1941–1944 | ||
| 11 | Atty. Zacarias A. Crispin | 1944–1946 | ||
| 12 | Atty. Juan C. Brillantes | 1946–1947 | ||
| 13 | Luis F. Bersamin, MD | 1947–1951 | ||
| 14 | 
|
Engr. Lucas P. Paredes | 1951–1953 | |
| - | Vene B. Pe Benito, DVM | 1953 | ||
| 15 | Aty. Ernesto P. Parel | 1953–1954 | ||
| 16 | Atty. Jose L. Valera | 1954–1963 | ||
| 17 | 
|
Carmelo Z. Barbero | 1963–1965 | |
| 18 | Petronilo V. Seares, MD | 1965–1971 | ||
| 19 | Gabino V. Balbin | 1971–1977 | ||
| 20 | Arturo V. Barbero | 1977–1984 | ||
| 21 | Andres B. Bernos | 1984–1986 | ||
| 22 | Atty. Vicente Ysidro P. Valera | 1986–1987 | ||
| - | Buenaventura V. Buenafe | 1987 | ||
| (22) | Atty. Vicente Ysidro P. Valera | 1988–1998 | ||
| - | Constante B. Culangen, MD | 1998 | ||
| 23 | Atty. Maria Zita C. Claustro-Valera | 1998–2001 | ||
| (22) | Atty. Vicente Ysidro P. Valera | 2001–2007 | ||
| 24 | 
|
Eustaquio P. Bersamin | 2007–2016 | |
| 25 | 
|
Maria Jocelyn A. Valera-Bernos | 2016–2022 | [8] |
| 26 | .jpg?lang=en)
|
Dominic B. Valera | 2022–2024[a] | [9][10] |
| - | Atty. Russell A. Bragas | 2024-2025 | ||
| (24) |
|
Eustaquio P. Bersamin | Governor-elect (2025) | [11] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Suspended since December 9, 2024
References
[edit]- ^ https://abra.gov.ph/about/history/
- ^ chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://thecordillerareview.upb.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/5-TCR-I-1-Rovillos-81-104.pdf
- ^ chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://www.efilarchives.org/pdf/gumil/guyod_150.pdf
- ^ https://abramazing.com/military-and-elected-officials-of-abra/
- ^ https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/17458
- ^ https://tribune.net.ph/2024/12/09/abra-governor-suspended-vice-governor-face-preventive-suspension
- ^ "Governors of Abra". Province of Abra. Province of Abra. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "ABRA | Provincial Results | Eleksyon2016 | Results -". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Halalan 2022 ABRA, CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION Election Results". ABS-CBN News. May 13, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ Dumlao, Artemio (December 10, 2024). "Palace suspends Abra Governor for 60 days". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Quitasol, Kimberlie (May 13, 2025). "Bernos-Bersamin alliance topples Valera dynasty in Abra". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 14, 2025.