Manuel A. Cuenco

Manuel Alesna Cuenco (November 10, 1907 – October 18, 1970) was a Filipino physician and politician from Cebu, Philippines. He was the former Governor of Cebu (1946–1951), administrator of the Overseas Employment Council, and the Secretary of Health (1964–1965).

Early life and education The son of Filipino politician Mariano Jesús Cuenco and Filomena Alesna, Manuel Cuenco was born on November 10, 1907. He finished medicine at the University of Santo Tomas.

After World War II in 1946, In 1951, he was defeated by Sergio Osmeña Jr. in his bid to be elected again as governor and the electoral protest he filed on the outcome of the 1951 election before the Court of First Instance against Osmeña was dismissed on September 4, 1954. and was soon appointed as the administrator of Overseas Employment Council from 1962 until 1963. Later, he was appointed as the Secretary of Health from December 1964 to December 1965. His appointment to the Cabinet of then President Diosdado Macapagal was the result of the alliance between otherwise local political rivals, the Osmeña and the Cuenco clans. The alliance was formed against the reelection of Carlos P. Garcia, whom Macapagal defeated in the 1961 elections.

Later years He died on October 18, 1970.

Historical commemoration Governor M. Cuenco Avenue that stretches from Archbishop Reyes Avenue to the Mahiga Bridge was named in his honor by virtue of City Ordinance No. 869.