Melchor Diclas

Melchor Daguines Diclas (born March 18, 1973) is a Filipino politician and physician who has been the governor of Benguet since 2019. A member of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, Diclas previously served as vice mayor of Buguias from 2007 to 2010, and then as mayor from 2010 to 2016.

Early life and education Diclas was born on March 18, 1973, in Buguias, Benguet, to Virgilio Diclas and Cecelia Daguines. He is the second of five children. He completed his elementary education at Natubleng Elementary School and his secondary education at San Jose High School in La Trinidad, as well as Saint Paul’s Academy in Atok.

He attended Saint Louis University in Baguio, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. That same year, he was elected chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan in his home barangay of Natubleng, Buguias. Diclas placed third in the race, losing to former vice governor Crescensio Pacalso.

Diclas ran again for governor in 2019, this time under PDP-Laban. He and his running mate for vice governor, Johnny Waguis, unseated the incumbents Pacalso and Florence Tingbaoen, who were both seeking reelection. He campaigned on a platform aimed at enhancing health services and hospital facilities, providing essential educational services, promoting the production of safe vegetables, and supporting research to improve agricultural products. He also pledged support for the small-scale mining sector and sports development.

Diclas ran for reelection in 2022 and won with 112,345 votes, representing 57.62% of the total votes cast.

Under the LAKAS-CMD Party, Diclas ran for his third and final term as governor in 2025 and won, receiving 116,212 votes. [reference: https://benguet.gov.ph/diclas-wins-final-term-as-benguet-governor-with-over-116k-votes/5/]

Personal life He is married to Ever Kigangan from Kabayan, Benguet. They have three children.