MANUEL
S. ROJAS (1908-?)
A CONFIRMED bachelor, Manuel S. Rojas of San
Roque, Cavite, became the second representative of Cavite under the
Commonwealth, only after defeating Justiniano S. Montano in an electoral
protest that lasted more than one year. He was declared winner over Montano on
October 10, 1939, by only 171 votes. It is one of the most hotly contested
elections in Cavite’s political history. Rojas garnered 25, 613 votes against
Montano’s 25, 442 votes.
Born
on August 5, 1908, Rojas finished his high school in Cavite, after which he
took up law at the Philippine Law School where he obtained his LL.B degree.
While practicing law he took up business administration, graduating with a
master’s degree.
Rojas
was elected municipal councilor of Cavite in 1931. After serving for *****
years in the municipal board he decided to go to United States to pursue his
studies. He enrolled in banking and finance at the Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania, obtaining a degree in his highly specialized field
in 1935.
Returning
to Cavite, Rojas practiced law for three years and then plunged into national
politics. He ran for representative in 1938 but was defeated by Montano by a
narrow margin. He filed an electoral protest alleging anomalies committed
during the election. Rojas was proclaimed winner over Montano after the
Electoral Commission had finished recounting the votes.
In the second national Assembly
Rojas was member of the Commission on Appointments, and the committees on
industry; on fishery; on ways and means; on public works; and on
reorganization.
[Source:
Directorio Oficial de la Segunda Asemblea Nacional, Manila, Bureau of
Printing, 1940.]