The remarkable political alliance linking Diosdado Macapagal of Lubao, Pampanga, with Jorge and Butch Abad from Batanes stands as a testament to lifelong loyalty and national unity. It bridged the remote northern islands and the rural plains, creating a legacy of public service under two Macapagal presidencies.
The First Generation: A Historic Cabinet Appointment
Born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal rose from humble beginnings to become the 9th President of the Philippines . During his presidency from 1961 to 1965, he appointed Jorge Abad as his Secretary of Public Works—a milestone that marked the first time a Cabinet member came from the remote island province of Batanes . This appointment was groundbreaking, as Batanes is the smallest and northernmost province in the Philippines, with a population of only around 19,000 . The appointment demonstrated Macapagal's commitment to true national representation and his ability to recognize talent regardless of geographic origin. Jorge Abad had previously served as a member of the House of Representatives for Batanes from 1949 to 1957 and again from 1961 to 1964, establishing himself as a dedicated public servant from the country's northernmost territory.
The Second Generation: A Daughter's Choice
Decades later, this cross-archipelago partnership continued under the leadership of Macapagal's daughter, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo . Jorge's son, Florencio "Butch" Abad, carried on his father's legacy of national service by serving as Secretary of the Department of Education during the Arroyo administration . Butch Abad later served as Secretary of Budget and Management under President Benigno Aquino III and was recently elected as chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats . The Abad family, including Jorge's wife Aurora who also served as Batanes representative and governor, has become a political dynasty representing the northernmost province for generations . This political alignment spanned generations, demonstrating how deeply rooted personal ties and mutual respect can outlast political boundaries, uniting the rural plains of Pampanga with the distant shores of Batanes in a shared commitment to public service.
