Miguel Raffiñan (born May 13, 1891, date of death unknown) was a Filipino Visayan lawyer, politician and mayor from Cebu, Philippines. He was mayor of Cebu City (1947–1951) and Congressman of Cebu's 6th District (1916–1922, 1931–1934, 1939–1941).
Early life
Miguel Raffiñan, son of Filomeno Raffiñan and Honorata Garces,[1] was born on May 13, 1891.[2] He attended University of San Carlos and acquired a bachelor's degree[1] and became a lawyer on October 2, 1917. He married Visitacion Paras Abad of Barili, Cebu.[3]
Career
Journalism
He wrote for the Spanish dailies El Precursor, a newspaper founded by Mariano Jesus Cuenco, and La Revolucion, a daily founded by Filemon Sotto.[3]
Raffiñan participated in the resistance movement during World War II and led the people of Barili in the fight against the Japanese colonizers. The guerilla force in Barili was formed by Lieutenant Aguasin and Domingo Gutang on September 27, 1942.[3]
Mayor
On September 6, 1947, he became mayor of Cebu City[2] until 1951, succeeding Dr. Luis Espina.
During his term, he was responsible in the repair and reconstruction of the four-story, colonnaded Cebu City Hall with War Damage Funds.[5] Additionally, the first radio telephone circuit established between Manila and Cebu was inaugurated on March 1, 1950, under the term of then President Elpidio Quirino, with the first official three-minute conversation between then former President Sergio Osmeña and Raffiñan.[6]
In 1947, the city council passed an ordinance exacting fees on each ticket sold in local theaters. Theater owners filed a complaint against the city in court with Raffiñan, then city treasurer Anatolio Ynclino, and acting city treasurer Jesus E. Zabate as respondents. On February 18, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that the city did not have the power to enforce the ordinance and denied the demand of plaintiffs to recover the fees that were already collected.[7]
Raffiñan would later be replaced by Pedro Elizalde as mayor.[2][8]
Legal practice
As a lawyer, he represented the Sampaguita Shoe and Slipper Factory in a suit against the Bureau of Customs and the Court of Tax Appeals that was decided by the Supreme Court.[3]
Historical commemoration
Previously known as San Jose Street, the Miguel Raffiñan Street in Cebu City was named in his honor by virtue of City Ordinance No. 553 enacted on August 26, 1965.[3]