David Suarez (politician)

David Catarina Suarez (born January 25, 1977), also known as Jay-Jay Suarez, is a Filipino politician. He is the incumbent Representative of the 2nd District of Quezon in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He previously served as governor of Quezon from 2010 to 2019, vice governor of Quezon from 2004 to 2007, and councilor of Unisan from 2001 to 2004.

Quick Facts The Honorable, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines ...

The Honorable David C. Suarez
Portrait in the 19th Congress

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office January 22, 2024
House Speaker	Martin Romualdez
Preceded by	Ralph Recto
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon's 2nd District
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Vicente Alcala
28th Governor of Quezon
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Vice Governor	Vicente Alcala (2010–2013) Samuel Nantes (2013–2019)
Preceded by	Kelly Portes (Acting)
Succeeded by	Danilo Suarez
Vice Governor of Quezon
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Governor	Wilfrido Enverga
Preceded by	Jovito Talabong
Succeeded by	Kelly Portes
Member of the Unisan Municipal Council
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2004

Personal details
Born	(1977-01-25) January 25, 1977 (age 48) Makati, Philippines^[1]
Political party	Lakas–CMD (2001–2007, 2008–2011; 2022–present)
Other political affiliations	KAMPI (2007–2008) NUP (2011–2017) Nacionalista (2017–2022)
Spouse	Anna Marie Villaraza
Children	3
Parents	Danilo Suarez (father) Aleta Suarez (mother)
Residence(s)	Tiaong, Quezon
Alma mater	University of Asia and the Pacific
Nickname	Jay-Jay

Suarez is the youngest child of former Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez and former Quezon's 3rd District Representative Aleta Suarez.^[2]^[3]

Education

Suarez attended the University of Asia and the Pacific where he attained a degree in Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Economics, Philosophy and Politics. He also had training in other educational institutes at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he had a short course on Local Legislation and on Local Governance and Public Management. He also finished a training on Public Administration at the International Academy for Leadership in Gummersbach, Germany.^[3]

Political career

Suarez was elected as a Municipal Councilor of Unisan, Quezon, a post which he served from 2001 to 2004. He also concurrently served as the President of Philippine Councilor's League Quezon Federation, a post which he was elected to also from 2001 to 2004. From 2004 to 2007, Suarez served as the Vice Governor of Quezon province. At the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2009, Suarez was Assistant Secretary who was tasked to oversee the River Basin Control Office, while he also served as program manager of the government body for South Luzon.^[3]

Suarez was elected as Governor in 2010; he was re-elected in 2013 and in 2016.^[3]^[4] In 2018, he transferred his residence to Tiaong.^[5]

In 2019, he was elected representative of the 2nd district of Quezon. He was reelected in 2022 and re-joined Lakas–CMD ahead of the 19th Congress.^[6]^[7] On January 29, 2024, Suarez was named as a Deputy Speaker, replacing Ralph Recto (Batangas–6th), who had left the House to become Finance Secretary.^[8] He is seeking reelection for a third term unopposed.^[9]

Awards

Galing Pook Award for "Quezon's 2in1" - given by the Galing Pook Foundation in 2014.
Galing Pook Award for "Lingap Kalusugan sa Barangay" also known as Health Coupon Program - given by the Galing Pook Foundation in 2014.
Most Outstanding Governor in the field of Social Services - given by the Association of Social Workers of the PHilippines in 2014.
Most Outstanding Governor in the field of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture.
Seal of Good House Keeping - awarded by DILG in 2011.
Outstanding LGU and Masigasig Award - given by the DOH - Center for Health and Development IV in 2011
Adopt a School Program Award - given by the Department of Education in 2012
Bukas Parangal ng Kagitingan - given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in 2012.
Extra Mile Award - awarded by the Philippine Commission on Women and the Canadian Government in 2013 for empowering the institutionalizing Gender and Development in the Province.
GREAT Women Award - awarded by the Canadian Government in 2013

Personal life

He is married to ALONA Partylist Representative Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez, with three children; Athalia Marie, Amalia Marie and David Sebastian.