Manuel Collantes

Manuel G. Collantes (August 20, 1917 – May 28, 2009) was a Filipino diplomat, lawyer and businessman. He served as the country's acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1984.

Early life and education Collantes was raised in Tanauan, Batangas. By October, Collantes participated in a call by business leaders such as Jaime Ongpin to hold a rally against the Marcos government, in which they expressed solidarity with the "parliament of the streets".

Post-EDSA activities Collantes' tenure as Batangas assemblyman for the Regular Batasang Pambansa ended upon the parliament's abolition after the People Power Revolution in February 1986.

In July 1986, Collantes participated in a coup attempt led by Arturo Tolentino at the Manila Hotel against the Corazon Aquino administration, being named Tolentino's "foreign affairs minister". A year later, Collantes ran for congressman of Batangas' third district, but was defeated by Milagros "Lally" Laurel-Trinidad after he placed second in the vote tally; the only town where he had more votes than Laurel was Balete. However, he earned more votes than former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste.

Collantes was a member of the board of directors of the United Pulp and Paper Company, Inc. (UPPCI) until his death in 2009.

Personal life Collantes met his wife, Consuelo Madrigal, in Washington, D.C. in 1949 while he was working as the second secretary and consul at the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. The couple married in the 1970s. Former Senator Jamby Madrigal is his niece through his wife.

Manuel Collantes died of cardiopulmonary arrest on May 28, 2009, at the age of 91. His body lay in state at their family home in Forbes Park, Makati. He was buried at the Madrigal Mausoleum in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, following a funeral mass.