Teresita Lazaro (politician)

Teresita Santiago Lazaro (born November 18, 1942) commonly known as Ningning Lazaro is a Filipina educator, businesswoman, and politician who served as the governor of Laguna^[1] from 2001 to 2010. Previously, she served as Vice Governor of the province from 1995 until 2001, member of the Laguna Provincial Board from the 2nd District from 1992 until 1995, Vice Mayor of Calamba, Laguna from 1988 until 1992, and the member of the Calamba Municipal Council from 1986 until 1988.

The Honorable Teresita S. Lazaro
16th Governor of Laguna
In office January 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Vice Governor	Gat-Ala Alatiit (2001) Dan Fernandez (2001-04) Edwin Olivarez (2004-07) Ramil Hernandez (2007-10)
Preceded by	Joey Lina
Succeeded by	E.R. Ejercito
Vice Governor of Laguna
In office December 20, 1992 – January 29, 2001
Governor	Restituto Luna (1992–95) Joey Lina (1995–2001)
Preceded by	Restituto Luna
Succeeded by	Gat-Ala Alatiit
Member of the Laguna Provincial Board from the 2nd district
In office June 30, 1992 – December 20, 1992
Vice Mayor of Calamba, Laguna
In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Mayor	Jesus Miguel Yulo
Succeeded by	Severino Lajara
Member of the Calamba Municipal Council
In office March 26, 1986 – February 1, 1988
Personal details
Born	Teresita F. Santiago (1942-11-18) November 18, 1942 (age 82) Calumpit, Bulacan, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Political party	PDP–Laban (2012–present)
Other political affiliations	Lakas–CMD/Lakas–Kampi–CMD (2004–12) PMP (2001–04) LDP (1995–2001) NPC (until 1995)
Spouse	Angelito L. Lazaro Sr.
Children	2
Residence	Calamba, Laguna
Alma mater	Far Eastern University
Occupation	Businesswoman, politician
Profession	Educator

Political career

Lazaro started her career in public service from 1964 to 1974 as a public elementary school teacher in Cabuyao and later in her hometown Calamba. Her notable achievement in business became the prime factor in her appointment as municipal councilor of Calamba by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1986.

This was followed by her election as Calamba's vice mayor in 1988 to 1992. “Shooting like a bright star” in the 1992 elections, she was voted overwhelmingly as member of the Laguna Provincial Board representing the 2nd district of Laguna, comprising the municipalities of Calamba, Los Baños, Bay, and Cabuyao.

With the death of Governor Felicisimo T. San Luis in 1992, then-Board Member Lazaro assumed the post of vice-governor since she topped the list of elected board members.

In the 1995 elections, Vice Governor Lazaro teamed-up with then-Senator Jose D. Lina, Jr., who ran for governor. The tandem won unanimously and both were once again re-elected during the 1998 elections. When President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Governor Joey Lina in 2001 as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Vice Governor Lazaro took on the responsibility of governing one of the nation's fastest growing provinces. She took her oath as Laguna's first female governor on January 30, 2001.

She was formally elected governor of the province when the Comelec proclaimed her winner in the Laguna gubernatorial race during the May 2001 election where she won by a landslide, becoming the first lady chief executive of Laguna. This was followed by her re-election for her second term in 2004 and her last and final term in 2007. Her term as governor ended in 2010. She was succeeded by E.R. Ejercito, nephew of former president Joseph Estrada.

In the 2013 elections, she attempted a comeback to politics by running for representative of the 2nd district of Laguna. However, she lost to outgoing Calamba mayor Jun Chipeco.

References

1. "SC upholds ex-Laguna gov Lazaro's liability over illegal purchase worth P118M | Politiko South Luzon". southluzon.politics.com.ph. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2023-02-18.