Rufo Ruiz-Esquide

Rufo Ruiz-Esquide Espinoza (born 6 January 1937) is a Chilean lawyer and conservative politician. He served as a Deputy of the Republic representing the 17th Departmental Group in two non-consecutive terms: 1961–1965 and 1969–1973.

Biography He was born in Concepción on 6 January 1937, the son of Alejandro Ruiz-Esquide and Olga Espinoza. He is cousin of former deputy and senator Mariano Ruiz-Esquide of the Christian Democratic Party. a writer, author of Los indios amigos en la frontera araucana (1993).

He studied at the Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones in Concepción and later entered the Law School of the University of Concepción, graduating as a lawyer on 8 November 1965. His thesis was titled Aspectos constitucionales, administrativos y de procedimiento a que da lugar la expropiación de predios rústicos para la ejecución de la Reforma Agraria. After graduation, he worked as a consultant for corporations.

Political career He began his political activity as a member of the Conservative Party. In the 1961 elections, he was elected Deputy for the 17th Departmental Group (Concepción, Tomé and Talcahuano) for the 1961–1965 term. He served as alternate member of the Committees on Government Interior; Constitution, Legislation and Justice; Social Assistance and Hygiene; and Labor and Social Legislation.

Among his motions that became law was Law N°15.909 of 5 December 1964, providing resources for the Bicentennial commemoration of the city of Talcahuano.

Later, he joined the National Party and was re-elected in the 1969 elections as Deputy for the reformed 17th Departmental Group (Concepción, Tomé, Talcahuano, Coronel and Yumbel) for the 1969–1973 term. He served on the Permanent Committee on Mining.