Atty. David Belarmino Tirol, ex-assemblyman, Bohol governor; 88

Former assemblyman and Bohol governor David Belarmino Tirol. Photo from Facebook post

TAGBILARAN CITY – Former assemblyman and Bohol governor David Belarmino Tirol passed away on Wednesday night, March 16.

He was 88.

The death of Tirol, considered as the province’s political “wonder boy,” was announced by his daughter Leah Tirol-Magno in a post on social media.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our beloved Atty. David B. Tirol, Ph.D., at age 88, at 8:25 p. m., March 16, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving wife Dr. Amalia R. Tirol, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and relatives when he returned home to the loving embrace of the Lord,” Tirol-Magno wrote on Facebook.

The wake will be at the Tirol’s residence at Caingget Drive in Barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City. Interment schedule will be announced.

Popularly known as Bohol’s “Wonder Boy” because of his unbroken string of victories in polls, Tirol served various elective posts.

At age 26, he became Tagbilaran municipal councilor in 1960. In 1964, he was elected provincial board member and vice governor in 1967 to 1984.

He served as assemblyman of his province from 1984 to 1986 before becoming a three-termer congressman representing the 2nd Congressional District of Bohol from 1987-1992 and governor (1992-1995).

He received accolades when he was  congressman and governor.

As an educator, he became second president of University of Bohol (UB), the first university in the province, from 1984 to 1992, while simultaneously serving as chairman of the board. He was president emeritus of the UB from 1992 to 1997. Eventually, he was elected president of Regional Association of Higher Educational Institutions (RAHEI) CHED Region VII.

He was also one of the founders of the Bohol Northern Star College, Inc. (BNSC), the first and only tertiary educational institution in Ubay town.

He headed civic, fraternal and ministerial associations for multiple terms. Even after he retired from politics, he resumed his private law practice, championing to fight injustice.

He also served as head of the Philippine National Red Cross for a number of years. He was president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines(IBP) – Tagbilaran Chapter.  He won the Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal and International Golden Award in 1992 for his dynamic works in the Red Cross. He was a National Awardee for the outstanding Citizen Soldier and Ten Outstanding Boholanos around the world in the field of education.

He was a national delegate to the 40th session of the United Nations, held in New York. He was also a Philippine delegate to the ASEAN Parliament in Manila in 1991.

Bohol 2nd district Rep. Aris Aumentado remembered Tirol as a “servant leader” whose family ties run deep and worked side by side in serving the public.

“I am one who is grateful for his service that has been offered to us for so long, and I hope that his legacy remains here for all of us,” Aumentado said.

On the other hand, Bohol 1st district Rep. Edgar Chatto shared fond memories of Tirol while in public service.

“I had the privilege of working with Nong David in different capacities over the course of my public service. His presence was noteworthy in many special events at the Capitol during my stint as governor, especially in the annual State of the Province Address,” Chatto said.

Chatto served as a Board Member representing the Kabataang Barangay (now Sangguniang Kabataan), while Tirol was Vice Governor. During Chatto’s second term as mayor of Balilihan town and while serving as president of the Bohol Mayor’s League in 1992, Tirol was elected governor.

“I have very fond memories of him because of these various instances and I am deeply saddened by his passing. I offer prayers for his eternal repose. May he rest in peace. My family and  I offer our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, especially to Nang Mali and children.”

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