Ponciano Bernardo

Filipino politician from Quezon City (1905–1949)

Ponciano Bernardo

2nd Mayor of Quezon City
In office
December 24, 1946 – April 28, 1949
Vice Mayor| Matias Defensor (1946–1947)
Gregorio B. Roxas (1948–1949)
Preceded by| Tomás Morató
Succeeded by| Nicanor Roxas
Vice Mayor of Quezon City
In office
November 10, 1939 – July 19, 1942
Mayor| Tomás Morató
Preceded by| Vicente Fragante
Succeeded by| Matias Defensor
Personal details
Born| (1905-12-02)December 2, 1905
Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Philippine Islands
Died| April 28, 1949(1949-04-28) (aged 43)
Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Manner of death| Assassination
Nationality| Filipino
Spouse| Josefina Martinez-Bernardo
Children| 8
Alma mater| University of the Philippines
Profession| Civil engineer

Ponciano A. Bernardo (December 2, 1905 – April 28, 1949) was a Filipino engineer and politician who served as mayor of Quezon City, holding the position from 1947 until his death in 1949. It was during his tenure that Quezon City was designated as the capital city of the Philippines.

## Personal life

[edit]

Ponciano A. Bernardo was born in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. His father was a son of Pandi, Bulacan Province who had migrated to Papaya (now General Tinio), Nueva Ecija with his cousin Francisco Bernardo Oliveros of Papaya, whose two sisters were left behind in Pandi Luisa Bernardo Oliveros-Cruz and Rosenda Bernardo Oliveros-Contreras as well as the rest of the family and their cousins Mariano Bernardo, Catalino Bernardo, Valentina Bernardo whose sons and grandson became mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan Atty. Matias Bernardo Ramirez, Balagtas, Bulacan Mamerto Carpio Bernardo, Pandi, Bulacan Atty. Jose Espina Bernardo and Mamerto Carpio Bernardo, 'The Father of Pandi, Bulacan' and Angat, Bulacan Benito Bernardo Cruz.

Bernardo married Josefina Bernardo (nee Martinez), and the couple had eight children: Carrie, Josefina, Ponciano Jr., Noli, Juliet, Marichu, Sonny and Cherry.

Bernardo finished his primary and secondary education in Cabanatuan, and entered the University of the Philippines as a civil engineering student. He graduated from there in 1927.

## Career

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After graduation, Bernardo joined the Bureau of Public Works - Department of Public Works and Highways. In 1929, he was named as an assistant provincial engineer of Tayabas, the home province of Manuel L. Quezon, who would become president in 1935. Bernardo also held various provincial posts as a government engineer in Baguio and Antique. In 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as vice-mayor and city engineer of the newly established Quezon City.

On December 24, 1946, Bernardo was appointed mayor of Quezon City by President Sergio Osmeña. He was sworn into office on January 1, 1947. During his tenure, in 1948, that Quezon City became the capital of the Philippines in lieu of Manila.

Under Bernardo's leadership, a city police force - Philippine National Police was constituted and a new city hall was constructed in Cubao. Funds were also allocated for the construction of a park later named Bernardo Park, a market in Galas, and a public high school.

## Death

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On April 28, 1949, Bernardo, along with former First Lady Aurora Quezon and several others, were killed in an ambush in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. They were en route to President Quezon's hometown of Baler to dedicate a hospital in memory of the late President.

## Legacy

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An elementary school and a high school in Quezon City have been named in memory of Ponciano A. Bernardo: Ponciano Bernardo High School in Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City, as well as Bernardo Park.

## References

[edit]

* "QC: A Saga of Continuing Progress". Quezonian Newsletter. Quezon City Public Library. 2007. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2008-05-04.

Political offices

Preceded by

Vicente Fragante

|  Vice Mayor of Quezon City
1939–1942  | Succeeded by

Matias Defensor

Preceded by

Tomás Morató

|  Mayor of Quezon City
1946–1949  | Succeeded by

Nicanor A. Roxas

* v
* t
* e

Mayors of Quezon City

* Tomás Morató (1939–1942)
* Ponciano Bernardo (1947–1949)
* Nicanor A. Roxas (1949–1950)
* Ignacio Santos Diaz (1950–1953)
* Norberto S. Amoranto (1954–1976)
* Adelina S. Rodriguez (1976–1986)
* Brigido R. Simon Jr. (1986–1987)
* Reynaldo Bernardo (1987)
* Elmer Pormento (1987–1988)
* Leoncio De Perio (1988)
* Brigido R. Simon Jr. (1988–1992)
* Mel Mathay (1992–2001)
* Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (2001–2010)
* Herbert Bautista (2010–2019)
* Joy Belmonte (2019–present)

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