The legislative districts of Leyte are the representations of the province of Leyte, the independent component city of Ormoc, and highly urbanized city of Tacloban in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province, together with the independent cities are currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through their first, second, third, fourth, and fifth congressional districts.
Southern Leyte and Biliran last formed part of the province's representation in 1961 and 1995, respectively.
Leyte was originally divided into four congressional districts from 1907 until 1931, when it was redistricted to five congressional districts by virtue of Act No. 3788.[1]
When seats for the upper house of the Philippine Legislature were elected from territory-based districts between 1916 and 1935, the province formed part of the ninth senatorial district which elected two out of the 24-member senate.
In the disruption caused by the Second World War, two delegates represented the province in the National Assembly of the Japanese-sponsored Second Philippine Republic: one was the provincial governor (an ex officio member), while the other was elected through a provincial assembly of KALIBAPI members during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Upon the restoration of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1945, the province retained its five pre-war representative districts.
Even after receiving their own city charters, Ormoc and Tacloban remained part of the representation of the Province of Leyte by virtue of Section 90 of Republic Act No. 179 (June 21, 1947),[2] and Section 91 of Republic Act No. 760 (June 20, 1952),[3] respectively.
Republic Act No. 2227, enacted on May 22, 1959, created the province of Southern Leyte from the southern municipalities of Leyte that constituted its third congressional district.[4] Per Section 5 of R.A. 2227, the incumbent representatives of all five districts of Leyte continued to serve for the remainder of 4th Congress. Starting in the 1961 elections, Leyte's remaining four districts were renumbered; the first, second, fourth and fifth districts were re-designated as the third, fourth, first and second districts, respectively.
Leyte was represented in the Interim Batasang Pambansa as part of Region VIII from 1978 to 1984. The province returned five representatives, elected at-large, to the Regular Batasang Pambansa in 1984.
Under the new Constitution which was proclaimed on February 11, 1987, the province was re-apportioned into five districts,[5] each of which elected its member to the restored House of Representatives starting that same year.
A plebiscite held on May 11, 1992, approved the establishment of Biliran (a sub-province of Leyte since 1959[6]) as a regular province, by virtue of Section 462 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991).[7] Biliran continued to be represented as part of the third district of Leyte until it elected its own representative in the 1995 elections.
Alangalang, Babatngon, Palo, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tanauan, Tolosa
| Period | Representative[8] |
|---|---|
| 8th Congress 1987 - 1992 | Cirilo Roy G. Montejo |
| 9th Congress 1992 - 1995 | |
| 10th Congress 1995 - 1998 | Imelda R. Marcos |
| 11th Congress 1998 - 2001 | Alfred S. Romualdez |
| 12th Congress 2001 - 2004 | Mario Teodoro E. Failon (Mario Teodoro F. Etong) |
| 13th Congress 2004 - 2007 | Remedios L. Petilla |
| 14th Congress 2007 - 2010 | Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez |
| 15th Congress 2010 - 2013 | |
| 16th Congress 2013 - 2016 | |
| 17th Congress 2016 - 2019 | Yedda Marie Romualdez |
| 18th Congress 2019 - 2022 | Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez |
| 19th Congress 2022 - 2025 |
Baybay, Caibiran, Kawayan (Almeria), Leyte, Merida, Naval, Ormoc, Palompon, San Isidro, Biliran (re-established 1909), Villaba (re-established 1909), Maripipi (re-established 1914), Albuera (re-established 1917), Calubian (re-established 1919)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Philippine Legislature 1907 - 1909 | Quiremon Alkuino | |
| 2nd Philippine Legislature 1909 - 1912 | Estanislao Granados | |
| 3rd Philippine Legislature 1912 - 1916 | ||
| 4th Philippine Legislature 1916 - 1919 | Manuel Veloso | |
| 5th Philippine Legislature 1919 - 1922 | Francisco D. Enage | |
| 6th Philippine Legislature 1922 - 1925 | Carlos S. Tan | |
| 7th Philippine Legislature 1925 - 1928 | Juan Veloso | |
| 8th Philippine Legislature 1928 - 1931 | Bernardo Torres |
Biliran, Caibiran, Calubian, Kawayan, Leyte, Maripipi, Merida, Naval, Palompon, San Isidro, Villaba, Isabel (re-established 1947), Almeria (re-established 1948), Cabucgayan (established 1949), Tabango (established 1949), Culaba (re-established 1953), Matag-ob (established 1957)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Philippine Legislature 1931 - 1934 | Carlos S. Tan | |
| 10th Philippine Legislature 1934 - 1935 | ||
| 1st National Assembly 1935 - 1938 | Jose Maria Veloso | |
| 2nd National Assembly 1938 - 1941 | Carlos S. Tan | |
| 1st Commonwealth Congress 1945 | Mateo Canonoy | |
| 1st Congress 1946 - 1949 | Carlos S. Tan | |
| Jose R. Martinez | ||
| 2nd Congress 1949 - 1953 | Mateo Canonoy | |
| 3rd Congress 1953 - 1957 | Carlos S. Tan | |
| 4th Congress 1957 - 1961 | Marcelino R. Veloso |
Abuyog, Babatngon, Dulag, Javier (Bugho), MacArthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Palo, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tanauan, Tolosa
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 5th Congress 1961 - 1965 | Daniel Z. Romualdez |
| 6th Congress 1965 - 1969 | Artemio E. Mate |
| 7th Congress 1969 - 1972 |
Barugo, Burauen, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Julita, La Paz, MacArthur, Mayorga, Pastrana, Tabontabon, Tunga
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 8th Congress 1987 - 1992 | Manuel L. Horca, Jr. |
| 9th Congress 1992 - 1995 | |
| 10th Congress 1995 - 1998 | |
| 11th Congress 1998 - 2001 | |
| vacant | |
| 12th Congress 2001 - 2004 | Trinidad G. Apostol |
| 13th Congress 2004 - 2007 | |
| 14th Congress 2007 - 2010 | |
| 15th Congress 2010 - 2013 | Sergio Antonio F. Apostol |
| 16th Congress 2013 - 2016 | |
| 17th Congress 2016 - 2019 | Henry L. Ong |
| 18th Congress 2019 - 2022 | Lolita T. Javier |
| 19th Congress 2022 - 2025 |
Bato, Cabalian, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Liloan, Maasin, Malitbog, Matalom, Pintuyan (San Ricardo), Sogod, Macrohon (re-established 1908), Libagon (Sogod Sur) (re-established 1913)
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 1st Philippine Legislature 1907 - 1909 | Florentino Peñaranda |
| 2nd Philippine Legislature 1909 - 1912 | Francisco Zialcita |
| 3rd Philippine Legislature 1912 - 1916 | Dalmacio Costas |
| 4th Philippine Legislature 1916 - 1919 | |
| 5th Philippine Legislature 1919 - 1922 | Ciriaco K. Kangleon |
| 6th Philippine Legislature 1922 - 1925 | Tomas Oppus |
| 7th Philippine Legislature 1925 - 1928 | |
| 8th Philippine Legislature 1928 - 1931 |
Albuera, Bato, Baybay, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Matalom, Ormoc (became city 1947), Kananga (established 1950)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Philippine Legislature 1931 - 1934 | Pacifico Ybañez | |
| 10th Philippine Legislature 1934 - 1935 | Dominador M. Tan | |
| 1st National Assembly 1935 - 1938 | ||
| 2nd National Assembly 1938 - 1941 | ||
| 1st Commonwealth Congress 1945 | ||
| 1st Congress 1946 - 1949 | Domingo Veloso | |
| 2nd Congress 1949 - 1953 | ||
| 3rd Congress 1953 - 1957 | ||
| 4th Congress 1957 - 1961 | Dominador M. Tan |
Alangalang, Barugo, Burauen, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Jaro, Julita, La Paz, Pastrana, Tabontabon, Tunga
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Congress 1961 - 1965 | Primo "Olong" Avestruz Villasin | |
| 6th Congress 1965 - 1969 | Salud Vivero Parreño | |
| 7th Congress 1969 - 1972 | vacant |
Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Congress 1995 - 1998 | Alberto S. Veloso | |
| 11th Congress 1998 - 2001 | Eduardo K. Veloso | |
| 12th Congress 2001 - 2004 | ||
| 13th Congress 2004 - 2007 | ||
| 14th Congress 2007 - 2010 | Andres D. Salvacion, Jr. | |
| 15th Congress 2010 - 2013 | ||
| 16th Congress 2013 - 2016 | ||
| 17th Congress 2016 - 2019 | Vicente Sofronio E. Veloso III | |
| 18th Congress 2019 - 2022 | ||
| 19th Congress 2022 - 2025 | Anna Victoria V. Tuazon |
Abuyog, Barugo, Burauen, Carigara, Dagami, Hinunangan, Jaro, Pastrana (re-established 1909), Hinundayan (re-established 1910), La Paz (re-established 1910), Capoocan (re-established 1917), Anahawan (Delgado) (re-established 1929)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Philippine Legislature 1907 - 1909 | Florentino Peñaranda | |
| 2nd Philippine Legislature 1909 - 1912 | Abdon Marchadesch | |
| 3rd Philippine Legislature 1912 - 1916 | Miguel Romualdez | |
| 4th Philippine Legislature 1916 - 1919 | Segundo Apostol | |
| 5th Philippine Legislature 1919 - 1922 | Julio Siayangco | |
| 6th Philippine Legislature 1922 - 1925 | Jose Maria Veloso | |
| 7th Philippine Legislature 1925 - 1928 | Ruperto Kapunan | |
| 8th Philippine Legislature 1928 - 1931 | Jorge B. Delgado |
Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Maasin, Macrohon, Malitbog, Pintuyan, San Juan (Cabalian), Sogod, Bontoc (established 1950), Silago (established 1950), Saint Bernard (established 1950), Padre Burgos (established 1957)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Philippine Legislature 1931 - 1934 | Tomas Oppus | |
| 10th Philippine Legislature 1934 - 1935 | ||
| 1st National Assembly 1935 - 1938 | ||
| 2nd National Assembly 1938 - 1941 | ||
| 1st Commonwealth Congress 1945 | ||
| 1st Congress 1946 - 1949 | Francisco M. Pajao | |
| 2nd Congress 1949 - 1953 | ||
| 3rd Congress 1953 - 1957 | ||
| 4th Congress 1957 - 1961 | Nicanor E. Yñiguez |
Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Calubian, Culaba, Isabel, Kawayan, Leyte, Maripipi, Matag-ob, Merida, Naval, Palompon, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 5th Congress 1961 - 1965 | Marcelino R. Veloso |
| 6th Congress 1965 - 1969 | |
| 7th Congress 1969 - 1972 |
Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Calubian, Culaba, Kawayan, Leyte, Maripipi, Naval, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 8th Congress 1987 - 1992 | Alberto S. Veloso |
| 9th Congress 1992 - 1995 |
Albuera, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, Palompon
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Congress 1987 - 1992 | Carmelo J. Locsin | |
| 9th Congress 1992 - 1995 | ||
| 10th Congress 1995 - 1998 | ||
| 11th Congress 1998 - 2001 | Ma. Victoria L. Locsin | |
| 12th Congress 2001 - 2004 | ||
| Eufrocino M. Codilla, Sr. | ||
| 13th Congress 2004 - 2007 | ||
| 14th Congress 2007 - 2010 | ||
| 15th Congress 2010 - 2013 | Lucy Marie T. Gomez | |
| vacant | ||
| 16th Congress 2013 - 2016 | Lucy Marie T. Gomez | |
| 17th Congress 2016 - 2019 | ||
| 18th Congress 2019 - 2022 | ||
| 19th Congress 2022 - 2025 | Richard I. Gomez |
Alangalang, Babatngon, Dulag, Palo, Tacloban, Tanauan, Tolosa, San Miguel (re-established 1909)
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Philippine Legislature 1907 - 1909 | Jaime C. De Veyra | |
| 2nd Philippine Legislature 1909 - 1912 | ||
| 3rd Philippine Legislature 1912 - 1916 | Francisco D. Enage | |
| 4th Philippine Legislature 1916 - 1919 | Ruperto Kapunan | |
| 5th Philippine Legislature 1919 - 1922 | ||
| 6th Philippine Legislature 1922 - 1925 | Filomeno Montejo | |
| 7th Philippine Legislature 1925 - 1928 | ||
| 8th Philippine Legislature 1928 - 1931 | Cirilo Bayaya |
Abuyog, Babatngon, Dulag, Palo, San Miguel, Tacloban (became city 1953), Tanauan, Tolosa, Santa Fe (established 1949), MacArthur (established 1954), Mayorga (established 1955), Mahaplag (established 1957), Bugho (established 1961)
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 9th Philippine Legislature 1931 - 1934 | Cirilo Bayaya |
| 10th Philippine Legislature 1934 - 1935 | Fortunato M. Sevilla |
| 1st National Assembly 1935 - 1938 | Francisco D. Enage |
| 2nd National Assembly 1938 - 1941 | Norberto Romualdez |
| 1st Commonwealth Congress 1945 | Filomeno Montejo |
| 1st Congress 1946 - 1949 | Juan R. Perez |
| 2nd Congress 1949 - 1953 | Daniel Z. Romualdez |
| 3rd Congress 1953 - 1957 | |
| 4th Congress 1957 - 1961 |
Albuera, Bato, Baybay, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Kananga, Matalom
| Period | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Congress 1961 - 1965 | Dominador M. Tan | |
| 6th Congress 1965 - 1969 | ||
| 7th Congress 1969 - 1972 | Rodolfo Rivilla |
Baybay (became city 2007)
Abuyog, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Javier, Mahaplag, Matalom
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 8th Congress 1987 - 1992 | Eriberto V. Loreto |
| 9th Congress 1992 - 1995 | |
| 10th Congress 1995 - 1998 | |
| 11th Congress 1998 - 2001 | |
| 12th Congress 2001 - 2004 | Carmen L. Cari |
| 13th Congress 2004 - 2007 | |
| 14th Congress 2007 - 2010 | |
| 15th Congress 2010 - 2013 | Jose Carlos L. Cari |
| 16th Congress 2013 - 2016 | |
| 17th Congress 2016 - 2019 | |
| 18th Congress 2019 - 2022 | Carl Nicolas C. Cari |
| 19th Congress 2022 - 2025 |
Alangalang, Barugo, Burauen, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Jaro, La Paz, Pastrana, Tunga (established 1949), Julita (established 1949), Tabontabon (established 1950)
| Period | Representative |
|---|---|
| 9th Philippine Legislature 1931 - 1934 | Ruperto Kapunan |
| 10th Philippine Legislature 1934 - 1935 | Jorge B. Delgado |
| 1st National Assembly 1935 - 1938 | Ruperto Kapunan |
| 2nd National Assembly 1938 - 1941 | |
| Atilano R. Cinco | |
| 1st Commonwealth Congress 1945 | Jose Maria Veloso |
| 1st Congress 1946 - 1949 | Atilano R. Cinco |
| 2nd Congress 1949 - 1953 | |
| 3rd Congress 1953 - 1957 | Alberto T. Aguja |
| 4th Congress 1957 - 1961 |
| Period | Representatives |
|---|---|
| National Assembly 1943 - 1944 | Jose Maria Veloso[9] |
| Bernardo Torres (ex officio) |
| Period | Representatives |
|---|---|
| Regular Batasang Pambansa 1984 - 1986 | Damian V. Aldaba |
| Artemio E. Mate | |
| Emiliano J. Melgazo | |
| Benjamin T. Romualdez | |
| Alberto S. Veloso |