JOSE
T. CAJULIS (1902 )
JOSE
T. CAJULIS of Binakayan, Kawit, was the third representative of Cavite under
the third Republic, 1954 – 1957. To him belongs the honor of being the “father”
of republic Act No. 981 of May 24,1954, creating the City of Trece Martires.
For nearly one and a half decades since 1940. Cavite City had the capital of
the province.
It
may be said that “Trece Martires became a chartered city through the determined
and untiring efforts” of former senator Justiniano S. Montano and his son,
former Governor Delfin N. Montano, but the fact remains that it was Cajulis who
introduced the bill creating the chartered City of Trece Martires. Cajulis
scored this history-making achievement during his first and only term as
congressman of the lone district of Cavite.
After his four-year stint in the Congress
of the Philippines Cajulis returned to his hometown and resumed his law
practice. Now in his 82nd year; his lawyer’s shingle is still up
hanging on the wall of his old Binakayan residence, but he rarely appears in
the court room, perhaps limiting himself to paper work. It is his proud claim,
as evidence by his unchanged economic status, that he has led a “simple and
honest life.” He is the “true example of a rare politician” who never amassed
wealth in or out of office.
Cajulis
was born on April 19, 1902 to the politically and socially prominent couple,
Francisco Cajulis of Kawit and margarita Topacio of Imus. After graduating from
the Cavite High School in 1924, he took up preparatory law at the National
University and then transferred to the college law. University of the
Philippines, obtaining an LL.B. degree in 1930. he passed the bar the same
year. While in college he worked as an employee in the office of Governor
General Leonard Wood.
He
served as provincial fiscal of Cavite for about a year, 1946-1947, after which
he was promoted to the post of prosecutor in the now defunct People’s Court.
When this court folded up, after disposing of all collaboration cases, Cajulis
was appointed provincial fiscal of Pampanga, handling criminal case Huk
dissidents until 1949.
He
ran for congressman in 1949 but lost in what been described as the “dirtiest
election in the Philippine history.” He ran again for the same position in
November 1953, and this time he won by a comfortable majority. Aside from
Republic Act No.981 creating the City of Trece of Martires, Cajulis also
authorized the law establishing the Cavite Electric Development authority
(CEDA).
Source: Biodata furnished by Governor
Remulla’s Office.]