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Emmanuel Pelaez, former vice president of the Philippines under Diosdado Macapagal’s administration, was born in Medina, Misamis Oriental to Gregorio Pelaez Sr. and Felipa Neri.

After finishing his primary education with highest honors in Cagayan de Misamis (now known as the city of Cagayan de Oro), Emmanuel Pelaez went on to with his secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila High School. He eventually received his Associate in Arts from the University of the Philippines Junior College in Cebu City. In 1938, Emmanuel Pelaez received his degree in law from the University of Manila and within that year, he also managed to top the Bar examinations.

While working to earn that degree, he worked as a senate clerk at the Journal Division for a year, starting from 1934 to 1935. After that, he went on to work as a debate reporter for two years and as a court translator for a year.

Several years after receiving his law degree, Emmanuel Pelaez started his law practice while also serving as a professor at the University of Manila from 1946 until 1963. He represented the province of Misamis Oriental in the senate when he was voted as congressman in 1949. His term lasted from 1949 to 1953. During those times, he was adjudged by the Congressional Press Club as one of the Ten Outstanding Congressmen. In addition to this, the League of Women Voters of the Philippines also hailed him as one of the two Most Outstanding Congressmen, while the Philippine Free Press recognized him as one of the Ten Most Useful Congressmen.

His achievements in the Lower House of Congress paved the way for a higher designation – the senate. During his term as a senator from 1953 to 1960, he was chosen as the Most Outstanding Senator by the Senate Press Club and the League of Women Voters of the Philippines.

Eventually, in 1961, Emmanuel Pelaez was voted to serve as the Vice President of the Philippines under President Diosdado Macapagal. In addition to his duties as the vice president, Emmanuel Pelaez also performed other functions as the country’s Foreign Affairs Secretary. In 1963, he was named Man of the Year by the Examiner. A year after that, he was hailed as the Most Outstanding Alumnus during the University of Manila’s Golden Jubilee Celebration.

The former vice president ended his political career after a failed assassination attempt in 1982. After politics, he focused on Bible studies and even became board chairman and president of the Bible Society.

Emmanuel Pelaez died on July 27, 2003 in Muntinlupa City.

(Sources: philstar.com and Wikipedia.org)

-by Mara Tismo