Agnes Magpale

Agnes Almendras Magpale (born Agnes Dimataga Almendras on January 21, 1942) is Filipina educator, farmer, and retired politician who previously served as Acting Governor (2012–2013), Vice Governor (2011–2019), and Board Member (1992–2001; 2004-2011) of the Province of Cebu.

Magpale entered politics in Danao City, serving as its Vice Mayor, after which she was elected as Board Member representing Cebu's 5th district from 1992 until 2001, and again from 2004 until 2011. Following her 2010 election as the Board Member with the highest number of votes, Magpale succeeded as Vice Governor following the death of incumbent Gregorio Sanchez Jr. in May 2011, and became Acting Governor in December 2012 during the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, serving all in all three offices within a single three-year term. on January 21, 1942. The eldest child of Josefino Durano Almendras of Danao and Rosita de la Serna Dimataga of Opon (now Lapu-Lapu City), her political career began in 1971 when she was elected Danao Vice Mayor. and she worked as the President of the Northeastern Cebu Colleges for a year. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed her as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in the same year.

Vice Governor (2011–2013) Upon the death of Gregorio Sanchez Jr. due to lung cancer on April 29, 2011, she was sworn as Vice Governor of the province of Cebu on May 10, 2011

On February 12, 2018, the Ombudsman ruled to dismiss then-Representative Gwendolyn Garcia based on the complaint Magpale filed in 2012 over the back-filling in the Balili property, a portion of which was submerged underwater. However, the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeals on May 12, 2019.

Acting Governor (2012–2013) Magpale took her oath as acting governor while Garcia was suspended for six months on December 19, 2012. Garcia filed a temporary restraining order at the Court of Appeals, stating that she had acted within the bounds of her office's authority, and stayed in the Cebu Provincial Capitol until January 30, 2013, while Magpale began her term as acting governor in the Legislative Building. and was reelected for a second term in 2016. under the Nationalist People's Coalition for the 2019 mid-term election. On December 20, 2018, Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu's 3rd district filed charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against Hilario Davide III, Agnes Magpale, and four Capitol officers on alleged appointments on positions that were "not yet to be declared vacant". Davide stated that the concerned appointments were in conformance to standard procedure.

On March 26, 2019, Garcia together with Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay also filed an injunction against Davide, Magpale, several Capitol officials, contractor WT Construction Inc. and Development Bank of the Philippines from constructing the ₱1.5 billion, 20-story Cebu Provincial Resource Center. Garcia alleged that contract for the building's construction was not authorized by the Provincial Board, while Davide claimed they complied the requisite protocols in pursuing the project. She then announced her retirement from politics after 34 years in public service in order to spend more time with her grandchildren and enjoy taking care of her farm. The couple had three children: Josefina Patricia, Jose Paolo, and Miguel Antonio "Migs." Her uncles were former Senator Alejandro "Landring" Durano Almendras and Vice Governor Priscillano Durano Almendras, who along with her father Josefino were sons of former Danao Mayor Paulo Gonzales Almendras. Danao Mayor and former Vice Governor Ramon "Nito" Duterte Durano III, himself a cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is her second cousin.

According to the 2018 statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, she was the richest elected official in Cebu province with personal properties amounting to ₱44.83 million. She served as the president of Northeastern Cebu Colleges, a family-owned enterprise, and had financial interests with JD Almendras Agro Industrial Development Corporation. Both businesses were located in Danao.

Honors and Awards Magpale is a recipient of the following honors and awards:

Zonta Leadership Garbo sa Danao Ten Outstanding Cebuano UP Alumni Award Cebuano Heritage Award St. Theresa's College Achievers' Award 888 New Forum Award as chair of the committee on tourism and international affairs of the Provincial Board 2016 The Outstanding Cebuano Award