Manuel Mamba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel Mamba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vice Governor of Cagayan | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| Governor | Edgar Aglipay |
| Preceded by | Melvin Vargas Jr. |
| 33rd Governor of Cagayan | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2025 | |
| Vice Governor | Melvin Vargas Jr. |
| Preceded by | Alvaro Antonio |
| Succeeded by | Edgar Aglipay |
| Head of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office | |
| In office February 20, 2012 – October 16, 2015 | |
| President | Benigno Aquino III |
| Preceded by | Antonino Roman |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cagayan's 3rd district | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Rodolfo Aguinaldo |
| Succeeded by | Randolph Ting |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco K. Mamba |
| Succeeded by | Rodolfo Aguinaldo |
| Mayor of Tuao | |
| In office February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manuel Noveno Mamba August 19, 1958 Tuao, Cagayan, Philippines |
| Party | Nacionalista (2021–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2018–2021) PDP–Laban (2017–2018) Liberal (2004–2017) Lakas (until 2004) |
| Spouse | Mabel Villarica |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (BS, M.D) |
| Occupation | Doctor, politician |
Manuel Noveno Mamba Sr. (born August 19, 1958) is a Filipino physician and politician who is serving as provincial vice governor of Cagayan since 2025 and previously served as governor of Cagayan from 2016 to 2025. He was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the 3rd District of Cagayan. First elected in 1995, he was re-elected in 2001, 2004, and 2007. He was also a municipal mayor of Tuao, Cagayan, from 1988 to 1995. He also served as the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer under Benigno Aquino III.
He is the son of Congressman Francisco K. Mamba Sr. and Estela Noveno-Mamba.[1] He is married to Atty. Mabel Villarica–Mamba, former chairperson and chief executive officer of the National Youth Commission and former director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.[2][3] They have two sons.[1]
He and his brothers, William and Francisco Jr., served as mayor of Tuao, Cagayan.[3][4] Another brother, then Solana mayor Leonardo, was assassinated while campaigning for Congress in 1992.[5][6]
A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, Mamba is a physician by profession.[2][3] He became licensed in 1983.[1]
Political career
As provincial board member and municipal mayor
Mamba began his political career in 1987 when he became a member of the Cagayan Provincial Board.[1] He was the mayor of his hometown, Tuao, from 1988 to 1995.[3][1]
As district representative
.jpg)
Mamba represented the third district of Cagayan in the House of the Representatives within four terms (1995–1998, 2001–2010).[1][3][7]
Aquino cabinet
During the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, Mamba was appointed in 2013 as a member of his Cabinet.[7] He served as the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer[2][3] and was also as the Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs.[1]
During the 2013 Philippine general election on 13 May, Mamba accused then-governor Alvaro Antonio of firing an AK-47 at his convoy in Alcala while en route to a function in Manila.[8] At the time, Mamba's brother William lost his bid to unseat Antonio for the governorship. Antonio denied the accusation.[9]
As provincial governor
In 2010, Mamba unsuccessfully ran for governor of Cagayan, losing to reelectionist Alvaro Antonio.[10]
In 2016, Mamba, ran under Liberal Party and was elected Cagayan governor.[11] He was re-elected in 2019 as an independent.[12][13]
In the 2022 elections, he filed his candidacy under the Nacionalista Party and ran and won against PDP–Laban candidate, Ma. Zarah Rose Lara.[7][14][15]
Under his administration, he initiated programs including the Cagayan Development Agenda (Caganda 2025), "No Barangay, No Town Left Behind", and the Cagayan River Restoration Project.[3] Meanwhile, for his efforts to maintain peace and order in the province, in 2019, Mamba was recognized as a Kapayapaan Awardee, while the Provincial Government of Cagayan became a National Awardee in the Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Audit.[1]
Opposition to US military presence
Mamba strongly opposed the expansion of US military presence under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which escalated under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos and opened the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana and Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo to American military personnel in 2023,[16][17] citing the risk of the Philippines being dragged into a wider conflict with China.[18]
2025 election
Mamba was elected vice governor of Cagayan in the 2025 Philippine general election, with Edgar Aglipay as his running mate.[19] The League of Municipal Mayors whose members were dissenting against Mamba's stance on the American military presence in Cagayan were included in his electoral slate.[20]