Potenciano Lesaca

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Lesaca and the second or maternal family name is García.

Potenciano Lesaca
Member of the Philippine National Assembly from Zambales' Lone District
In office September 16, 1935 – December 30, 1938
Preceded by	Felipe Estrella
Succeeded by	Valentin Afable
Governor of Zambales
In office 1901–1903
Preceded by	Vicente Camara
Succeeded by	Juan Manday
Personal details
Born	(1871-01-01)January 1, 1871 Botolan, Zambales, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died	October 4, 1941(1941-10-04) (aged 70)
Spouse	Irene Gonzales of Iba, Zambales
Children	Eduardo, Potenciano Jr, Trinidad, Alicia, Luis, Cesar, Corazón, Estella, and Aida
Parent(s)	Luis Lesaca and Juana Garcia {ref. Encyclopedia of the Philippines: Builders of the new Philippines By Zoilo M. Galang, Camilo Osias · 1936}
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University

Potenciano Lesaca y García (January 1, 1871 – October 4, 1941) was a Filipino politician and businessman who became the first civil governor of Zambales, a province of the Philippines in the Central Luzon region. He served from 1901 to 1903, and was the first governor of the American era. His brother, Juan Lesaca, was governor from 1910 to 1916.

Biography

Portrait of Lesaca, published by Benipayo Press (c. 1935)

Born on 1 January 1871, in Botolan, Zambales, Philippines, the son of Luis Lesaca y Navarro and Juana García y Abellana, he became the first civil governor of Zambales, a province of the Philippines in the Central Luzon region.[1][2]

He completed his course on commerce in 1898 at Ateneo de Manila. He first worked as a census inspector and later president of the commission which installed the civil government of Zambales. He was an honorary member of the mission that represented the Philippine Islands in the Universal Exposition at St Louis Missouri in 1914. During the Philippine Revolution, he was a major under General Antonio Luna.[3]

Lesaca was married to Irene Gonzales and had nine children. He later became a landowner, farmer, and a stockman.[3]

From 1935 to 1938, he represented Zambales at the 1st National Assembly of the Philippines. This meeting of the legislature of the Commonwealth of the Philippines passed a total of 415 laws.[4] As a lawmaker, Lesaca had interests in the agricultural industry, specifically livestock.[3]

References

1. "Census of The Philippine Islands Vol 1 Geography History and Population". United States Bureau of the Census 1905. 1905.
2. Assembly of the Nation A Centennial History of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, 1907-2007. House of Representatives of the Philippines. 2007. ISBN 9789719210030.
3. Our Delegates to the Constitutional Assembly: English-Spanish (in Spanish). Benipayo Press. 1935.
4. "Blue Book of the Inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines And the Induction Into Office of Manuel L. Quezon, First President of the Philippines, and Sergio Osmenã, First Vice President of the Philippines". Philippines (Commonwealth) Inauguration committee · 1935. 1935.