Rodolfo Fariñas

Rodolfo C. Fariñas is the second of the six siblings brought into life by Federico L. Fariñas and Remedios Castro Fariñas of Laoag City who, during their prime, owned and managed a successful transport business, the Fariñas Trans.

Rudy, as commonly called by his friends and relatives, was a consistent honor student during his elementary and secondary years. As an outstanding student, he was often picked to hold various academic positions and actively participated in sports competitions.  He graduated in elementary and high school with the Second Honor and Salutatorian awards given to him in 1963 and 1967.

Fariñas entered university life at the Ateneo de Manila University obtaining the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. Aspiring for greater educational attainment, he enrolled in Bachelor of Laws in the same school. He graduated in 1978 second honors in the Dean’s list. With an exceptional memory, Fariñas placed eight in the 1978 Bar Exam.

Governor Fariñas began his political career when he 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. With his excitingly different breed of leadership, Laoag City underwent infrastructural face-lift as more projects were implemented. The city government was also administered more closely that resulted in a significant increase in its revenues.  Moreover, this handsome young mayor endeared him more to his people with his stricter implementation of laws through his Discipline and Order Campaign. His exemplary leadership also catapulted him to the position of Director of City Mayors’ League of the Philippines from 1981-1986. Fariñas enjoyed greater prominence in the national scene after the 1986 Edsa Revolution when the people of Laoag rallied behind him to reject any efforts by the Aquino government to replace him as the city mayor.

Rudy received the mandate to govern the province 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), to name a few. He also received various awards and commendations, most important of which were the Most Outstanding Provincial Governor, 1988 and Most Outstanding Governor Award of the Year, 1996.

The province of Ilocos Norte saw Fariñas as a committed and energetic governor who closely monitored the functions of the provincial government and actively participated in rescue operations when calamities battered the province.  With his program “Rang-ay ti Barangay”, he brought the government closer to the people by personally delivering the government’s programs and services to remotest areas of the province. Governor Fariñas made a headway in the areas of education, health, agriculture, sports, tourism and peace and order by directing to create the Department of Public Safety which responded to medical emergencies, erect a new hospital building at the Gov. Roque Ablan Hospital, construct the Centennial Arena and Olympic size swimming pool, establish the Capitol Day care Center, restore the Rizal Amusement Park and implement infrastructure projects in various parts of the province. Through his leadership, the insurgency problem of the province was reduced dramatically thus restoring peace and security in the province.

After completing his three consecutive terms as governor of the province, Fariñas earned a new mandate to serve Ilocos Norte as First District congressman when he emerged victorious in the 1998 local polls.

Governor Fariñas is married to the beauteous commercial model turned actress Maria Teresa L. Gerodias  from Zambales. They are blessed with eight children.

Other Information

• Born : September 5, 1951