Yet, it’s worth reminding that our Senate, particularly its membership and leadership, not very long ago was held in better respect and higher esteem. One such gentleman was Senator Gil J. Puyat, elected in 1951 under the Nacionalista banner, ranking second overall, and who served as the last Senate President from 1967 to 1972 until the imposition of Martial Law.
Son of a rags to a riches industrialist
Puyat was the son and third child of Gonzalo Puyat and Nicasia Juco. The elder Puyat and his wife moved to Manila from Guagua, Pampanga, to escape poverty and try their luck in the big city.
Beginning with a job at a billiards hall where he was paid a lowly P18 a month, Gonzalo eventually acquired the business of his Spanish employer. This modest start served as the foundation of what was to become Gonzalo Puyat & Sons, Inc., which during its peak had interests in billiards and bowling, furniture manufacturing, lumber and wood veneer, steel, and flour milling.
As to be expected, Gonzalo dictated that his son take up business management in college so off went Gil to the University of the Philippines where he earned his business management degree in 1929.
The youngest Dean to Senate President
While working alongside his father in the growing family business, Gil was also a professor at his alma mater.
His abilities in the academe and as an economist quickly caught the attention of President Manuel L. Quezon who, in 1941, appointed him Dean of the College of Business Administration at age 33, making him the youngest ever at that time.
Soon, Gil would make a name for himself in another field, inspired perhaps by his patron: politics.
As Senator, his significant contributions covered innovations and reforms in the dispensation of public works funds, the introduction of fiscal and monetary reforms, and in authoring bills such as the Performance Budget Act.
He was also instrumental in the creation of the Court of Tax Appeals and the Tax Census Law and advocated for greater budget control in order to avoid deficit spending.
He further lent his voice and expertise in the issues of export taxes, minimum wage and inflation, and in the revisions to the Bell Trade Act.
In 1967 he unseated Arturo Tolentino as Senate President in a 13 to 8 vote.
Seeing far ahead
Away from political life Gil turned his attention to business anew, forging his own pioneering ventures outside of Gonzalo Puyat & Sons, by then a thriving conglomerate and the country’s largest furniture manufacturer.
With keen foresight, he introduced the memorial park concept with the establishment of Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina that showcased manicured lawns and sculptures by Eduardo Castrillo; modernized the death-care industry through Loyola Memorial Chapels; sought to decongest Metro Manila and bring progress northward with Manila Newtown in Bulacan, a masterplanned community; and envisioned a leisure mountain estate via Batulao Highlands Resort. He also established Manila Banking Corporation and the Manila Bankers Life Insurance Corp.
Not all of the enterprises founded by Gil Puyat, who died in 1980, endure today, and not all of his plans were fully realized. Some critics argue that he exploited his political position to further his own personal interests.
But one thing is undeniable: the ideas, ideals, and the forward-looking vision he championed clearly laid the groundwork and paved the way for other entrepreneurs and business groups to carry on the pioneering efforts he had already begun.
Features Reporter
