By Erwin Bonifacio
This is a series of biographies of the Governors of Capiz from 1898 to 1988, some of whom were unrecorded, unrecognized, and unknown.
The Revolutionary Provincial Governor of Capiz, Simeon Dadivas y Dones, was born on October 8, 1858, in Panitan, Capiz, to Isidoro Dadivas and Anastasia Dones, both natives of the same town. He first married Matilde Villar, who later passed away. He subsequently married Maria Basa of Iloilo.
He first studied at the Conciliar Seminary of Jaro, Iloilo, taking Latin, and Philosophy and Letters (1875-1878). To pursue his dream, in 1879, he came to Manila and entered the University of Santo Tomas, studying law while juggling work to finance his studies. He was able to complete his law degree in seven years, graduating with a Licenciado en Jurisprudencia (Bachelor of Jurisprudence) in June 1886 and receiving his investiture in July of the same year. As a lawyer, he gained renown in the city of Manila, thanks to the guidance of the great jurist, Don Gregorio N. Delfín, who also hailed from Panitan, Capiz.
He also studied at the same university the subjects of Perito Mercantile (master businessman or commercial expert). In 1884, he obtained the title of Bookkeeper from the Consulate School, established in Manila under the auspices of the government. During the Spanish regime, he held the post of candidate for officer of the General Intendancy of the Treasury from 1884 to 1892, when he was appointed Secretary of the City Council of Jaro, a position he also obtained through competitive examination. He served in this position from 1892 to 1894 while practicing law in the Province of Iloilo. In mid-1894, he transferred to Capiz Province, where he held the position of Justice of the Peace in the capital until June 1896, also serving as an intern in the Court of First Instance.
In 1898, he was elected by his province as Counselor for Reforms to Governor General Diego de los Ríos, representing the Government of the Visayas established in Iloilo. When Spanish forces evacuated the Province of Capiz and the Philippine Republic was established in Malolos, he lent his services to the Philippine Army as a lawyer attached to the General Staff of Panay and was elected Governor of the Province of Capiz, a position he held until American troops occupied the province.
Amidst the ongoing Philippine-American War in Capiz, the Taft Commission took steps to establish civilian rule and pacify the people. Across the islands, they organized towns and conducted elections under the guidance of Provost Marshals. Simeon Dadivas was appointed as one of the election judges in the Municipality of Capiz, where a first-class town council was granted, and elections were scheduled for the first Tuesday of September 1900.
In March 1901, he was appointed Provincial Fiscal Civil Commissioner of Romblon, Masbate, Palawan, Cuyo, and Puerto Princesa, a position he briefly held.
During the Philippine Commission’s visit to Capiz, Dadivas was one of the potential candidates for the position of civil governor, aside from Simplicio Jugo Vidal. On the first day of the session, Simeon Dadivas delivered a speech on behalf of the assembled municipal presidents and delegates. Dadivas, who had been chosen to represent some of the towns of Aklan, spoke in favor of the division of Aklan from Capiz. He emphasized the inconvenience these towns faced in both governmental and judicial matters, having to come to Capiz. He argued that a launch would not remedy matters unless everyone had the privilege to ride. He believed that the aspirations of the people of Aklan were just and that their wishes should be respected.
During the gubernatorial elections in Capiz on February 2, 1902, municipal vice presidents and councilors from thirty-four municipalities gathered in a joint convention at the provincial capital to cast their votes by secret ballot. In the initial election, 275 voters participated. Simplicio Jugo Vidal emerged as the front-runner with 133 votes, while Simeon Dadivas received thirty votes. As none secured a legal majority, a repeat election was conducted, with Vidal obtaining 205 votes and Dadivas receiving twenty-five votes.
In the July 1907 Philippine Assembly elections, Simeon Dadivas ran as deputy for the first district of Capiz, opposed by two other lawyers, Eugenio Picazo and Leodegario Azarraga. Unfortunately, he was overwhelmed by Picazo of the Partido Modernista. He ran again in the general election on November 5, 1907, which was marked by intense competition, including the election of a third member of the provincial board, a position previously appointed. This election was significant as it allowed qualified electors to directly vote for candidates, a process previously handled by assemblies of municipal vice presidents and councilors. The Partido Nacional Progresista nominated Ramon Hontiveros for governor and Simeon Dadivas as his Third Member of the Provincial Board. Despite their efforts, Partido Nacional Progresista dominated only twelve municipalities, while the Partido Modernista won in sixteen.
Undeterred by his two defeats, he ran again in the November 5, 1909, elections. These elections were historic and costly, marking the first simultaneous election of provincial officials, assemblymen, and municipal officials in the province. In the race for Assemblyman of the first district, the candidates were Simeon Dadivas (Progresista), Rafael Acuña (Nacionalista), and Agustin Aldea (Independent). Acuña was declared the winner.
Finally, fortune smiled on him. In 1912, he was elected Representative for the Second District of Capiz, securing a majority of 521 votes under the banner of Partido Nacionalista, against Emiliano Acevedo, a Progresista, who garnered 508 votes. During the third Philippine Assembly, Dadivas was a member of the Committees on Interior Government and Public Instruction. As a member of the Philippine Assembly, Speaker Osmeña trusted and recognized his capability, appointing him as Speaker pro tempore to preside over Session No. 42 on December 4, 1913.
Unfortunately, on July 27, 1914, he succumbed to illness at his home in Capiz. On July 31, 1914, Dadivas was laid to rest, and no less than Philippine Assembly Speaker Sergio Osmeña. attended the funeral. Public school students lined both sides of the road from his house to Capiz High School’s auditorium, where Osmeña delivered a eulogy. On the same day, City Councilor Isabelo de los Reyes moved to rename a street in Manila in honor of Dadivas. This street still exists today as a profound legacy of Simeon Dadivas.
