Ramon Torres (politician)

In 1925, Torres was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives representing the 2nd district of Negros Occidental, serving until 1927. He returned to office in 1931 and served until 1935.^[2] During this time, Torres was concurrently appointed by Governor-General Frank Murphy to become the Philippines' first Secretary of Labor,^[1] continuing as such during the Commonwealth administration of President Manuel Quezon until 1936.^[3][4] During this time, he introduced and oversaw numerous reforms such as the eight-hour working day, mandatory medical attention for workers, the passage of Commonwealth Act 213 which defined and regulated labor unions and the Workmen's Compensation Act.^[1] In 1940, he was elected governor of Negros Occidental and served until 1941.^[1]

In November 1941, Torres was elected to the reestablished Senate of the Philippines. However, he and other senators were unable to assume their positions as scheduled due to the outbreak of the Pacific War and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines the following month. Torres formally took his oath as senator following Liberation in 1945 and was reelected in 1947. He served until 1951.^[5]

After leaving the Senate, Torres briefly served again as governor of Negros Occidental for three months in 1953.^[1]

In recognition for Torres' efforts in securing the establishment of the first public high school in Bago in 1947, a high school in the town is named after him.^[6]