Rodriguez town reverts to old name Montalban

Rodriguez town in Rizal (Google maps)

MANILA, Philippines — A bill reverting Rodriguez, Rizal, to its old name Montalban lapsed into law after President Rodrigo Duterte failed to act on it 30 days after Congress sent the measure to Malacañang.

Republic Act No. 11812 became a law without the president’s signature on June 2, in accordance with Article 6, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

The renaming will be effective upon ratification by a majority of Rodriguez residents in a plebiscite to be supervised by the Commission on Elections. The municipal government will bear the cost of the plebiscite, according to the law.

The town of Montalban was founded in 1871 as part of the Spanish-era Manila province and later incorporated in 1901 into Rizal province.

In 1982, it was renamed in honor of Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Sr., one of Montalban’s most famous native sons. He served as Montalban mayor, Rizal governor and congressman, Nueva Vizcaya congressman, agriculture and commerce secretary, mayor of Manila, and Senate president.

He ran unsuccessfully for vice president in 1946 and was a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party, which he led until his death in 1964.

Several members of the Rodriguez clan served as town mayor, provincial governor, or congressman of Rizal’s second district, which covers Montalban, throughout the town’s history.

—JEROME ANING

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