Francisco Labbé Labbé

Francisco Javier Labbé Labbé (27 April 1897 – 23 September 1981) was a Chilean lawyer, landowner, journalist, and Conservative Party politician who served four consecutive terms as Deputy from 1937 to 1953.

Biography Labbé Labbé was born in Vichuquén on 27 April 1897, the son of Nicolás Labbé Arriagada and Zoila Labbé Urzúa.

He married Olga Gastellu Martínez in 1924.

He studied at the Seminary of Santiago and later at the Faculty of Law of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, earning his law degree in 1921 with the thesis “De la reivindicación. Libro II, título XII del Código Civil chileno”.

He practiced law in Santiago, Valdivia and Antofagasta; served as legal adviser to the Port Administration of Antofagasta and to the Bankruptcy Trustee’s Office in Santiago; and was board member of the insurance company “La Cachapoal” and of the Agricultural Credit Fund.

He also worked as a journalist — director of the newspaper *El Osorno* and as owner of *El Comercio* of Rengo. As a landowner, he managed the “Olga” estate in Rengo, dedicated to fruit production.

Political career Labbé Labbé was first elected Deputy as an independent for the 22nd Departamental Group (Valdivia, La Unión, Río Bueno, Osorno) for the 1937–1941 term, serving on the Standing Committee on Constitution, Legislation and Justice.

Later he joined the Conservative Party. He was reelected Deputy for the 9th Departamental Group (Rancagua, Cachapoal, Caupolicán, San Vicente) for the periods 1941–1945, 1945–1949, and 1949–1953 — during which he sat on the Standing Committees on Constitution, Legislation and Justice, and on Finance.

In 1949 he ran in a supplementary election to the Senate (to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Miguel Cruchaga Tocornal), but was defeated by Sergio Fernández Larraín.

He promoted legislative initiatives including drafts for a Water Code, Fertilizers Law, and Property Law.

Other activities He was president of the National Association of Catholic Students and of the Catholic University Law School Center; served on the Popular Nutrition Board; was secretary-general of the Mutualist Society “La Unión Nacional”; and served in the First Workers’ Social Congress.

He belonged to the Chilean Bar Association and the Lima Bar Association, and was a member of the National Agriculture Society. He also belonged to social clubs such as Club de la Unión, Rengo Tennis Club, Centro Vasco and Maison de France.