Cesar Climaco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cesar Cortez Climaco
|
|
|---|---|
Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, showing names from the first batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Mayor Cesar Climaco.
|
|
| 10th Mayor of Zamboanga City | |
| In office March 5, 1980 – November 14, 1984 |
|
| Preceded by | Jose Vicente Atilano II |
| Succeeded by | Manuel A. Dalipe |
| In office January 1, 1956 – December 30, 1961 |
|
| Preceded by | Hector C. Suarez |
| Succeeded by | Tomas Ferrer |
| In office December 30, 1953 – March 1, 1954 |
|
| Preceded by | Manuel D. Jaldon |
| Succeeded by | Hector C. Suarez |
| Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs | |
| In office 1962–1962 |
|
| President | Diosdado Macapagal |
| Preceded by | Rolando G. Geotina |
| Succeeded by | Norberto B. Romualdez Jr. |
| Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Zamboanga City | |
| In office June 30, 1984 – November 14, 1984 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 28, 1916 Zamboanga, Philippine Islands |
| Died | November 14, 1984 (aged 68) Zamboanga City, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal Concerned Citizens' Aggrupation |
| Spouse | Julia Floreta |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas University of the Philippines College of Law |
Cesar Cortez Climaco (born February 28, 1916 – died November 14, 1984) was a brave and well-known Filipino politician. He served as the mayor of Zamboanga City for 11 years. He was famous for being a strong leader and for his unique personality. Cesar Climaco was a major critic of the martial law government of Ferdinand Marcos. He even refused to cut his hair until democracy returned to the Philippines. Sadly, he was assassinated in 1984.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Cesar Climaco was born in Zamboanga City. His father was a customs broker who later became a local councilor. Cesar finished his primary and high school education in his hometown.
He then moved to Manila with his future wife, Julia. He studied a pre-law course at the University of Santo Tomas. To pay for his studies, he worked as a family driver. Later, he studied law at the University of the Philippines College of Law. He also worked as a janitor at the Court of Appeals during this time. He earned his law degree in 1941. He passed the bar examinations and became a lawyer that same year.
Becoming a Public Servant
Cesar Climaco started his political journey in 1951. He successfully ran for a seat in the Zamboanga City council. Within two years, at the age of 37, he was appointed as mayor of Zamboanga City. He held this position for a short time.
In 1954, Climaco joined "Operation Brotherhood." This group helped provide medical aid to refugees in war-torn Vietnam. As the project manager, Climaco became friends with South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. His work was even featured in Life magazine.
During his campaigns for mayor, a special song was used. It was based on the melody of "O My Darling, Clementine" and sung in Chavacano. This song, "Ay si Cesar, Ay si Cesar Climaco," was also sung at his funeral. It was a song he shared with his wife, Julia.
Mayor of Zamboanga City
Cesar Climaco was first elected as Zamboanga City mayor in 1956. He ran as a candidate for the Liberal Party. He served as mayor until 1961. During this time, he became well-known across the country.
He was famous for his courage. He would go alone to dangerous areas and confront tough people. He also kept a strict eye on the city's police officers. He once disarmed officers he found sleeping during a surprise check. Climaco also worked well with the city's Muslim population. He took strong action against illegal gambling.
As mayor, Climaco ordered the building of Abong-Abong park in Pasonanca. This park was meant to be a campsite and provide housing. Zamboanga City became known as the cleanest city in the Philippines under his leadership. He even made sure that horses pulling carriages wore diapers to keep the streets clean!
He became friends with Manila's mayor, Arsenio Lacson. Both were known for being tough and good leaders. Climaco was called the "Arsenio Lacson of the South." Lacson joked that soon he would be known as the "Climaco of the North."
After his first term as mayor, Climaco was appointed to a national role. In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal made him the Commissioner of Customs. He brought in honest cadets from the Philippine Military Academy to help fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs.
Fighting for Democracy
In 1972, President Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines. Cesar Climaco was very upset by this. He left the country and went to the United States. He made a promise not to cut his hair until democracy was brought back. He returned to the Philippines in 1976.
A Brave Stand
In 1980, Climaco was re-elected as Zamboanga City mayor. He ran under a new political group he formed. At this time, crime and violence were common in the city. Climaco put up a scoreboard outside city hall. It showed the number of unsolved violent crimes.
He openly criticized the military and police. He even had the police chief transferred out of the city. When violence broke out, Climaco would rush to the scene on his motorcycle. He would help calm things down. Despite the dangers, he never carried a gun or had bodyguards.
Climaco was very critical of the Marcos government. He disliked how all decisions had to come from the President's office. When martial law was supposedly lifted in 1981, Climaco famously said, "Marcos did not lift martial rule. He only tilted it." He was a strong voice against Marcos in Zamboanga City. When his close friend, Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated in 1983, Climaco renamed one of the city's main squares "Aquino Plaza."
In 1984, Climaco was elected as a Member of Parliament. However, he refused to take his seat. He said he wanted to finish his term as mayor first. This was seen as another act of defiance against the Marcos government.
His Final Days
On November 14, 1984, Cesar Climaco went to a fire in downtown Zamboanga City. He helped supervise the efforts to put out the fire. As he was leaving, he saw caskets at a nearby funeral homes. He jokingly said, "reserve one of those for me."
He then got on his motorcycle to go back to his office. Suddenly, a man came from behind and shot him in the back of the neck. The assassin escaped. Climaco was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
A huge crowd attended Climaco's funeral in Zamboanga City. Estimates ranged from fifteen thousand to two hundred thousand people. He was buried at Abong-Abong Park.
To this day, no one has been convicted for his assassination. Police and military officials blamed a Muslim group. However, Climaco's widow publicly stated that she believed the military was behind the murder. Climaco himself had reportedly said that if he were ever killed, the military would blame someone else.
His Legacy Lives On
Cesar Climaco's son, Julio Cesar, was appointed mayor of Zamboanga City in 1986. He served for about a year. His niece, Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar (also known as Beng Climaco), was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007. She later served as mayor of Zamboanga City from 2013 to 2022.
In 1994, ten years after his death, a film about Cesar Climaco was released. It was called Mayor Cesar Climaco and starred Eddie Garcia. The movie showed his fight for democracy and his friendship with Ninoy Aquino. It even included footage from his funeral.
