Rodolfo Fariñas

Rodolfo "Rudy" Castro Fariñas, Sr. (born September 5, 1951) is a Filipino lawyer, politician and the former Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and represents the 1st District of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. Fariñas was the last person to serve as governor of Ilocos Norte who was not related to the Marcos family. Fariñas has been described as a "henchman of the Marcos regime".^[1]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Castro and the surname or paternal family name is Fariñas.

The Honorable Rodolfo C. Fariñas
House Majority Leader
In office July 25, 2016 – July 23, 2018
Preceded by	Neptali Gonzales II
Succeeded by	Fredenil Castro
Member of the House of Representatives from Ilocos Norte's 1st district
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Roque Ablan Jr.
Succeeded by	Ria Christina Fariñas
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001
Preceded by	Roque Ablan Jr.
Succeeded by	Roque Ablan Jr.
22nd Governor of Ilocos Norte
In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1998
Preceded by	Vicente Rubio Campos
Succeeded by	Bongbong Marcos
Mayor of Laoag
In office May 3, 1980 – March 25, 1986
Personal details
Born	Rodolfo Castro Fariñas (1951-09-05) September 5, 1951 (age 73) Manila, Philippines
Political party	Reporma (2021–present)
Other political affiliations	PDP–Laban (2017–2021) Liberal (2015–2017) Nacionalista (2009–2015) LAMMP (1998–2001) KBL (1980–1998)
Spouse	Maria Teresa Carlson ​ ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	8, including Ria Christina
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University (AB, LL.B)

Early life and education

Fariñas was born on September 5, 1951. In 1971, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (AB) degree from Ateneo de Manila University. He studied law and graduated from the Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1978. He placed 8th in the 1978 Philippine Bar Examinations with an 89.90% bar rating.

Political career

Fariñas was elected as City Mayor of Laoag in the election of January 30, 1980, at the age of 28 making him one of the youngest elected city mayors in the Philippines. During his administration, he implemented several infrastructural projects. The city government was also administered more closely which resulted in an increase in its revenues. Fariñas's prominence increased in the national scene after the 1986 People Power Revolution when the people of Laoag rallied to reject any efforts by the government to replace him as the city mayor.

Fariñas was elected as provincial governor of Ilocos Norte in the 1988 local election where he won in a landslide victory. He was elected again in 1992 and 1995, serving for ten consecutive years. During his term, Fariñas held various posts and chairmanships like national president of JAYCEES, regional chairman of Ilocos Region Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and Reserve Officer's League of the Philippines (ROLP). He also received various awards and commendations, including the Most Outstanding Provincial Governor, 1988, and Most Outstanding Governor Award of the Year, 1996.

In July 1993, Fariñas was preventively suspended as governor for 60 days by President Fidel V. Ramos due to him facing charges of oppression and abuse of authority in court among others. The suspension was given at the recommendation of executive secretary Teofisto Guingona and presidential legal counsel Antonio Carpio.^[2]

While he was governor, Fariñas created a Department of Public Safety for medical emergencies and established the Capitol Day Care Center. He also oversaw infrastructure projects like a new building at the Gov. Roque Ablan Hospital, the Centennial Arena and Olympic size swimming pool, and restoration of the Rizal Amusement Park.

After completing his three consecutive terms as governor of the province, Fariñas won a seat in the 1998 local polls as Ilocos Norte's First District congressman.

In September 2017, Fariñas stated the members of the Congress should be immune from apprehension when committing minor traffic violations, a policy he said would aid them in their jobs. This was backed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).^[3]

Personal life

Fariñas was married to the commercial model turned actress Maria Teresa L. Gerodias Carlson from Zambales. They have six children together, including Ria Christina, the former representative of 1st District of the Ilocos Norte. Before his marriage to Carlson, he had two children with Janet Murrf: Rica Camille and Rey Carlos.

Due to alleged cases of domestic violence,^[4] Carlson committed suicide on November 23, 2001. Her death became the foundation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act. Fariñas denies the accusations.

On November 15, 2015, Fariñas's 20-year-old son, Rodolfo Fariñas Jr., died in a motorcycle accident in Bacarra.^[5]