Lord Allan Velasco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Allan Velasco
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![]() Official portrait, 2022
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23rd Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
In office October 12, 2020 – June 30, 2022 |
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Preceded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
Succeeded by | Martin Romualdez |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Marinduque's Lone District | |
Assumed office February 1, 2016 |
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Preceded by | Regina Ongsiako Reyes |
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 |
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Preceded by | Carmencita Reyes |
Succeeded by | Regina Ongsiako Reyes |
Chairperson of the Philippine House Committee on Energy | |
Assumed office August 17, 2022 |
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Preceded by | Juan Miguel Arroyo |
In office July 25, 2016 – October 12, 2020 |
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Succeeded by | Juan Miguel Arroyo |
Provincial Administrator of Marinduque | |
In office January 2008 – December 1, 2009 |
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Governor | Jose Antonio Carrion |
Personal details | |
Born |
Lord Allan Jay Quinto Velasco
November 9, 1977 Pasay, Philippines |
Political party | NPC (2022–present) |
Other political affiliations |
PDP–Laban (2016–2022) NUP (2011–2016) Lakas-CMD (2009–2011) |
Spouse |
Rowena "Wen" Amara
(m. 2012) |
Children | 5 |
Parents | Presbitero Velasco Lorna Quinto Velasco |
Residences | Mogpog, Marinduque Torrijos, Marinduque |
Alma mater | De La Salle University (BS) University of Santo Tomas (LLB) |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Lawyer |
Signature | ![]() |
Lord Allan Jay Quinto Velasco (born November 9, 1977) is a Filipino politician and lawyer. He served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from October 2020 to June 2022. He is also a Representative for Marinduque's lone district. He has held this position since 2016, and before that, from 2010 to 2013.
Before becoming a representative, he was the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Marinduque. He also worked as the provincial administrator for Marinduque under Governor Jose Antonio Carrion.
About Lord Allan Velasco
His Early Life and Family
Lord Allan Velasco was born on November 9, 1977. His father, Presbitero Velasco Jr., was a judge in the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He has been the governor of their home province, Marinduque, since 2019.
His mother, Lorna Quinto Velasco, was a nurse who later became a politician. She served as a representative for the AMA/MATA party-list. Since 2016, she has been the mayor of Torrijos, Marinduque. Lord Allan also has a sister, Tricia Nicole Velasco-Catera, who is a lawyer.
His Education and Marriage
Velasco studied in Manila. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from De La Salle University. Later, he studied law at the University of Santo Tomas. He became a lawyer in 2005.
He married Rowena "Wen" Amara on September 21, 2012. They have five children together. His wife, Wen, leads the Pilipinong May Puso Foundation. This charity was started in 2016 to honor Soledad Duterte, who was the mother of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
His Connections with the Dutertes
The Velasco family became good friends with Rodrigo Duterte. They supported his campaign to become president. They even celebrated Christmas with the Duterte family in Davao City in 2016. The Velasco couple also helped organize birthday parties for the President. Lord Allan Velasco considers Sara Duterte, the daughter of the former president, his "big bike riding buddy."
Lord Allan Velasco's Political Journey
Provincial Administrator Role (2008–2009)
Early in his career as a lawyer, Velasco led the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Marinduque. In January 2008, he was chosen to be the provincial administrator of Marinduque. In this role, he also led the Provincial Tourism Council. He focused on promoting "sports adventure and community-based tourism" in the province. He left this job in December 2009 to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Serving in the House of Representatives (2010–2013, 2016-present)
In the 2010 elections, Velasco ran under the Lakas–Kampi party. He won against Edmundo Reyes and became the first elected government official in his family.
In 2013, he ran for re-election but faced a challenge from Regina Ongsiako Reyes. There was a legal discussion about who should be the representative. Eventually, Velasco was declared the rightful representative for Marinduque's lone district. He officially took office on February 1, 2016.
Today, he is still the representative for the Lone District of Marinduque. He also chairs the House Committee on Energy. This committee deals with laws and issues related to energy in the country.
Becoming the House Speaker (2020–2022)
In July 2019, Lord Allan Velasco and Alan Peter Cayetano agreed to share the role of House Speaker. The Speaker is the leader of the House of Representatives.
On October 12, 2020, Velasco was elected as the new House Speaker by 186 representatives. This happened two days before his agreed term was supposed to start. The next day, October 13, 2020, Cayetano resigned as Speaker. This allowed Velasco to officially take over the role.