Alfonso Bórquez Pérez

Alfonso Bórquez Pérez (22 February 1878 – 22 December 1969) was a Chilean naval officer and politician. He served as a senator of the Republic representing the ninth senatorial circumscription during multiple legislative periods between 1945 and 1953.

Biography He was born in Castro, Chiloé, the son of Bernardino Bórquez and Emilia Pérez. He married Ángela Sanguinetti Rodríguez.

Professional career He studied at the Chilean School of Pilots, where he obtained the rank of captain of the merchant marine. He served in the national merchant navy until 1912.

He was a founding partner of Bórquez Blanco y Compañía, a shipping and ship-owning firm based in Valparaíso. He also engaged in agricultural activities, operating the Ayacara estate in Chiloé.

He served as a councilor of the Agricultural Credit Fund, the Chilean Maritime Association, the Warrants Warehouses Company, and La Agraria Insurance Company.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, he was elected senator for the 9th provincial grouping of Valdivia, Llanquihue and Chiloé for the 1926–1934 term. He served on the standing committees on Agriculture, Mining, Industrial Development and Colonization. The socialist movement of 4 July 1932 led to the suspension of the National Congress.

He was re-elected senator for the same constituency for the 1933–1937 term, serving on the standing Committee on Labor and Social Legislation.

He was again elected senator for the expanded constituency including Valdivia, Llanquihue, Chiloé, Aysén and Magallanes for the 1937–1945 term, during which he served on the standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Trade.

He was re-elected senator for the 1945–1953 term, serving on the standing Committee on Agriculture and Colonization.

In 1948, following the enactment of the Law for the Defense of Democracy by President Gabriel González Videla, he left the Radical Party in opposition to the legislation and joined the Socialist Party.