Roberto Uy
Roberto Y. Uy | |
|---|---|
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| Governor of Zamboanga del Norte | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Vice Governor | Senen O. Angeles |
| Preceded by | Rolando E. Yebes |
| Succeeded by | Rosalina G. Jalosjos |
| 18th Mayor of Dipolog | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Vice Mayor | Edelburgo L. Cheng Senen O. Angeles |
| Preceded by | Edelburgo L. Cheng |
| Succeeded by | Evelyn T. Uy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roberto Yu Uy December 28, 1951 Mapang, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines |
| Political party | Lakas–CMD (1998-2009; 2023–present) |
| Other political affiliations | PDP–Laban (2018–2023) Liberal (2009–2018) |
| Residence | Dipolog |
| Alma mater | Adamson University Chiang Kai Shek College |
| Occupation | Businessman politician |
| Nickname | Berto |
Roberto Yu Uy, also known as Berto Uy (born December 28, 1951) is a Filipino businessman of Chinese ancestral descent, and a politician from the province of Zamboanga del Norte in the Philippines.[1] He previously served as a Governor of Zamboanga del Norte.
Early life and career
[edit]Uy was born on December 28, 1951, in Mapang, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte. He is the fifth of seven siblings of Isaias Uy and Francisca Yu. His parents are businesspeople who paved the way in boosting Dipolog's local business scene. He took up his elementary education at Dipolog Chinese School (now Dipolog Community School), then he took up his secondary studies at Chiang Kai Shek College in Manila. He took up a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Adamson University.[2]
Prior to politics, he worked with his father in managing their family businesses, which include a hotel and pension house, a fast food restaurant, a hardware store, and trading of copra.[citation needed]
Political career
[edit]Uy started in politics when he served as Officer in Charge-Barangay Captain of Barangay Central, an urban barangay of Dipolog.[3]
Mayor of Dipolog
[edit]Thereafter, Uy was elected and sworn as Mayor of Dipolog from 1998 to 2007. As he was term-limited and barred from running for a fourth term, Uy ran for Governor of Zamboanga del Norte in 2007 but was defeated by then-Governor Rolando E. Yebes. Uy briefly retired from politics and returned to his business endeavors.[citation needed]
Governor of Zamboanga del Norte
[edit]In 2013, Uy made his return to politics after being elected as Governor of Zamboanga del Norte in 2013, defeating 3rd legislative district Representative Cesar Jalosjos, and in 2016 against former Governor Yebes.[4]
In 2019, another candidate for governor ran under the name "Roberto Escobido Uy", which is similar to Uy's name, and used the same nickname. The Commission on Elections declared the candidacy of "Roberto Escobido Uy" as nuisance, making the incumbent governor the legitimate candidate to participate.[5][6] The decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court of the Philippines months after the election.[7] Uy won the 2019 election against 1st legislative district Representative Bullet Jalosjos and "Escobido Uy," securing a third and final term in office.[8][9]
Controversies
[edit]Corruption charges
[edit]In 2016, Uy and two other provincial officials were sued by the City Government of Dapitan over the alleged illegal extraction or quarrying of sand and gravel in Dapitan's remote Barangay Aseniero, conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office since 2014.[10] In 2024, two employees of the Zamboanga del Norte provincial government filed cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against Uy and his son, Dipolog mayor Darel Dexter Uy, accusing them of graft over the donation of P925.58 million worth of equipment belonging to the provincial government to local governments.[11]
Suspension
[edit]Sometime after being reelected in the 2016 local election, Uy was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for three months for simple misconduct.[12] The Ombudsman found Uy guilty of simple misconduct for the termination of 6 Provincial Government employees, hired under the administration of former Governor Rolando Yebes, since assuming office in 2013.[13][14][15][16]
Illegal drug connections
[edit]In a privilege speech made in the House of Representatives on September 21, 2016, Rep. Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos of Zamboanga del Norte's 1st District linked Uy and the police to the drug trade in the province.[17] Uy, who at the time was facing suspension for simple misconduct by the Ombudsman, denied the claims made, and challenged Jalosjos to a debate which led to a congressional hearing right after.[18][19]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDP–Laban | Roberto "Berto" Uy (incumbent) | 219,412 | 46.91% | |
| Nacionalista | Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos | 216,517 | 46.29% | |
| Independent | Roberto "Berto" Escobido Uy | 23,231 | 4.97% | |
| PFP | Artemio "Tim" Adaza | 4,050 | 0.87% | |
| Independent | Eduardo "Ed" Sumalpong | 1,996 | 0.43% | |
| WPP | Nestor Dapar | 1,301 | 0.28% | |
| Independent | Eufracio "Dodoy" Bala, Sr. | 1,190 | 0.25% | |
| Total votes | 467,697 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Roberto Uy (incumbent) | 231,510 | ||
| NPC | Rolando "Lando" Yebes | 158,010 | ||
| Independent | Nestor Dapar | 2,156 | ||
| Independent | Eufracio "Dodoy" Bala, Sr. | 1,431 | ||
| Independent | Dong Dagurayan | 1,159 | ||
| Majority | ||||
| Total votes | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Roberto Uy | 98,477 | 55.72 | |
| Nacionalista | Cesar Jalosjos | 78,029 | 44.28 | |
| Total votes | 202,102 | 100.00 | ||
Personal life
[edit]He is married to Evelyn Tang Uy who also served as mayor of Dipolog (2007–2016), and had 7 children together, including Roberto Uy Jr. or "Pin-Pin" who was mayor of Polanco (2013–2016) and Congressman of the 1st District of Zamboanga del Norte (2023-present), and Darel Dexter who is mayor of Dipolog (2016–present). Both Pinpin and Darel were businessmen working in their family's businesses prior to joining politics.
References
[edit]- ^ "Roberto Uy Biography". PeoPlaid. August 6, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "City of Dipolog : Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Y. Uy". Old website of the City of Dipolog. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010.
- ^ "BRIEF PROFILE OF MAYOR ROBERTO Y. UY". Old website of the City of Dipolog. Archived from the original on July 21, 2003. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (May 16, 2013). "Zamboanga del Norte replaces a dynasty with another dynasty". Rappler. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ Hilario, Ernesto M. "Comelec's wise move in Zambo Norte row". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Manalastas, Jester P. (April 26, 2019). "Zambo del Norte gubernatorial bet declared nuisance candidate". Journal Online. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ "SC affirms Comelec's declaration of Berto Uy's foe as nuisance bet". Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (May 20, 2019). "Poll winners in Zambo Norte proclaimed". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ^ Rappler.com. "Uy retains governorship of Zamboanga del Norte". Rappler. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (October 26, 2016). "Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte officials clash over quarry operations". Rappler. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (March 5, 2024). "Zamboanga del Norte capitol workers file graft complaints vs ex-governor, son". Rappler. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Ombudsman orders suspension of Zamboanga del Norte governor". Office of the Ombudsman. June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (June 21, 2016). "Reelected Zamboanga del Norte governor gets 3-month suspension". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (March 18, 2015). "Terminated Zamboanga del Norte employee fights back". Rappler. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Nonato, Vince F. (September 20, 2016). "Zamboanga del Norte governor ordered suspended". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Nonato, Vince F. (September 21, 2016). "Zamboanga del Norte governor suspended". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (September 26, 2016). "Jalosjos links governor, policeman to Zamboanga del Norte drug trade". Rappler. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Laput, Gualberto (October 6, 2016). "Zamboanga del Norte gov: I'm a drugstore owner, not a drug lord". Rappler. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Quismorio, Ellson A. (September 27, 2017). "Barbers says Congress can ask for relief of cops involved in EJK, illegal drugs". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ "Halalan 2019 ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, REGION IX Election Results". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Province of Zamboanga del Norte Official Website