Luisa "Banti" Lloren Cuaresma (born January 18, 1955) is a Filipina politician who currently serves as the representative of the lone district of Nueva Vizcaya since 2016. Previously, she served as governor of Nueva Vizcaya from 2004 until 2013 and vice-governor from 1998 until 2004. She is the province's fourth female governor.[1][2][3][4]
Luisa Cuaresma | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Nueva Vizcaya's Lone District | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos Padilla |
| 20th Governor of Nueva Vizcaya | |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Rodolfo Agbayani |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Padilla |
| Vice Governor of Nueva Vizcaya | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Natalia Dumlao |
| Succeeded by | Jose Gambito |
| Mayor of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya | |
| In office June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1998 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1955 Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines |
| Political party | UNA (2012–2018, 2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Lakas–CMD (1995-1998; 2021–2024) NUP (2018–2021) Nacionalista (2007-2012) LAMMP (1998-2000) LDP (1988-1995; 1998-2007) LnB (1987-1988) |
| Spouse | Benjamin Roque Cuaresma |
| Children | Benjamin Cuaresma III |
| Residence(s) | Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life
Cuaresma, a pharmacist by profession, was married to Bambang Mayor Benjamin Cuaresma, who was abducted and assassinated by the New People's Army on the eve of the 1988 local elections.[5]
Political career
After her husband's murder, Cuaresma ran for mayor in the 1988 election and won, serving the three-term limit until 1998. Afterwards, she was elected vice governor for two terms before becoming the fifth woman to become governor of Nueva Vizcaya in 2004.[6] She served in that post until 2013, when she made an unsuccessful bid to run for the lone district of Nueva Vizcaya in the 16th Congress. She was finally elected to the 17th Congress in 2016 and was reelected in 2019 and 2022.[7] She is running for governor in the 2025 Philippine general election.[8]
Cuaresma was a critic of large-scale mining operations in the province such as the Didipio mine operated by the Australian mining firm OceanaGold in the town of Kasibu. In 2008, she and other officials of the provincial government were sued for blocking the mine's operations.[9]
Personal life
Cuaresma has four children, the eldest of which, Benjamin III, has served as mayor of Bambang.[5]
Electoral history
| Election Year | Position | Party | Votes for Cuaresma | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | Plc. | Swing | |||||
| 1988 | Mayor | Lakas | 6,187 | 48.62% | 1st | N/A | Won | |
| 1992 | LDP | 7,764 | 57.38% | 1st | +9.12% | Won | ||
| 1995 | Lakas–CMD | 12,562 | 100.00% | 1st | +42.62% | Won | ||
| 1998 | Vice Governor | LAMMP | 64,444 | 51.45% | 1st | N/A | Won | |
| 2001 | LDP | 73,609 | 62.82% | 1st | +11.37% | Won | ||
| 2004 | Governor | LDP | 56,008 | 39.62% | 1st | N/A | Won | |
| 2007 | Nacionalista | 83,643 | 57.60% | 1st | +17.98% | Won | ||
| 2010 | Nacionalista | 108,182 | 65.97% | 1st | +8.37% | Won | ||
| 2013 | Representative | UNA | 51,313 | 39.33% | 2nd | N/A | Lost | |
| 2016 | UNA | 78,125 | 45.77% | 1st | +6.44% | Won | ||
| 2019 | NUP | 114,338 | 56.08% | 1st | +10.31% | Won | ||
| 2022 | Lakas–CMD | 165,360 | 72.25% | 1st | +16.17% | Won | ||
References
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