Angelica Amante Explained

Maria Angelica Amante
Office:Governor of Agusan del Norte
Term Start:June 30, 2022
Predecessor:Dale Corvera
Term Start1:June 30, 2013
Term End1:June 30, 2019
Predecessor1:Erlpe John Amante
Successor1:Dale Corvera
Term Start2:June 30, 1995
Term End2:June 30, 2004
Predecessor2:Eduardo Rama
Successor2:Erlpe John Amante
Office3:Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Agusan del Norte's Second District
Term Start3:June 30, 2019
Term End3:June 30, 2022
Predecessor3:Erlpe John Amante
Successor3:Dale Corvera
Term Start4:June 30, 2010
Term End4:June 30, 2013
Predecessor4:Edelmiro Amante
Successor4:Erlpe John Amante
Term Start5:June 30, 2004
Term End5:June 30, 2007
Predecessor5:Edelmiro Amante
Successor5:Edelmiro Amante
Birth Name:Maria Angelica Rosedell Malbas Amante
Birth Date:16 April 1970
Birth Place:Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, Philippines
Spouse:Rashidin H. Matba
Course:BS Nursing, Master in Public Administration
Alma Mater:Father Saturnino Urios University
Trinity University of Asia (BS)
Party:PDP (2016-present)
Otherparty:Liberal (2010-2016)
Lakas-CMD (until 2010)
Profession:Registered Nurse, Politician

Maria Angelica Rosedell Malbas Amante-Matba (born April 16, 1970), is a Filipino registered nurse and politician currently serving as the governor of Agusan del Norte, a position she previously held from 1995 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2019. She was also a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines representing Agusan del Norte's 2nd congressional district.[1] [2] [3]

Early life and education

Amante-Matba was born and raised in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.[4] She is the daughter of former Executive Secretary and Congressman Edelmiro Amante and former Cabadbaran Mayor Rosario Malbas-Amante. Her brother Erlpe John Amante is also a politician.[5]

She took up nursing at St. Luke's College of Nursing, Trinity University of Asia in 1991. She passed the licensure examination for nursing in 1991 and the California State Board Exam in Nursing in 1994. She also holds a masters degree in public administration from Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan.

Political career

Amante-Matba started her political career as the governor of Agusan del Norte serving three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004. At the time, she was the youngest provincial governor assuming office at only 25 years old.[6] From 1995 to 1998, she was the chairperson of the Regional Development Council of Caraga. From 1998 to 2001, she was elected as the secretary of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Mindanao of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO).

Due to constitutional provisions that limit gubernatorial terms of office to only three consecutive terms, in the 2004 elections, Amante-Matba ran for congress and won a seat in the House of Representatives representing Agusan del Norte's 2nd congressional district.[7] She served for one term before running as mayor of Butuan in 2007 which she lost to incumbent Democrito Plaza.[8]

In 2010, she ran for congress again while her brother ran for governor. They both won their respective races. In 2013 and 2016, Amante-Matba and her brother swapped their positions wherein the latter served as congressman while Amante-Matba served governor.[9] [10] They won and Amante-Matba served as governor until 2019. She ran and won again the congressional seat in 2019 and served for one term before returning as governor in 2022.

2016 presidential elections

Amante is a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte. She was once quoted by President Duterte as the girl who he has love at first sight. President Rodrigo Duterte admitted publicly that a governor from Mindanao whom he once fell in love with was one of his supporters during the campaign.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Personal life

Amante is married to Tawi-tawi congressman Rashidin H. Matba.[16] [17]

On March 27, 2015, she survived an ambush attempt at Nasipit, Agusan del Norte perpetrated by members of the New People's Army.[18] [19] [20]

Related Links

Notes and References

  1. Web site:
    1. HalalanResults: Sister beats brother for Agusan del Norte House seat
    . ABS-CBN News.
  2. Web site: PIA Caraga on November 10, 2017 . AgNor Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba. pia.gov.ph.
  3. Web site: PIA Caraga. Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba. pia.gov.ph.
  4. Web site: Governor's Corner . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702082329/https://www.agusandelnorte.gov.ph/governors-corner . 2 July 2022 . 2 July 2022 . Province of Agusan del Norte.
  5. News: Bas . Rene Q. . 16 April 2007 . Citizens group list RP's political dynasties . A1 . . 2 July 2022.
  6. News: 26 May 1995 . 'Bagets' bets slay Goliaths . 6 . Manila Standard . 2 July 2022.
  7. News: 29 April 2004 . Mindanao: Landed, royal clans dominate . . 2 July 2022.
  8. News: 2 June 2007 . Amante eager to join race for House speakership . A7 . . 2 July 2022.
  9. Web site: Press and Public Affairs Bureau. Amante-Matba lauds the role of women as legislators. congress.gov.ph.
  10. Web site: Personal Profile of Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante . 12 July 2018.
  11. Web site: ABS-CBN News on December 12, 2016. Duterte admits 'love at first sight' with Mindanao Gov. 12 December 2016.
  12. Web site: Politiko Mindanao. Parang first lady na!. 19 June 2017.
  13. Web site: Politiko Visayas. Meet the governor who stole Duterte's heart. 22 October 2016.
  14. Web site: Politiko Mindanao. Muling ibalik? Gov Angel Matba meets with Duterte again. 22 January 2018.
  15. Web site: Politiko Mindanao. Agusan Governor Angel Matba gets one-on-one session with Duterte. 25 September 2016.
  16. Web site: Politiko Visayas. Couple Angel-Rashidin Matba Show up in Malacanang. 20 January 2017.
  17. Web site: Politiko Mindanao. Governors Angel and Rashidin Matba get to bond with Duterte in Malacañang. 11 July 2018.
  18. Web site: Judie Anne Abejero on March 27, 2015 . Attempted ambush against Agusan Del Norte Gov .
  19. Web site: Karlos Manlupig on March 27, 2015 . NPA attacks Agusan del Norte Governor's convoy .
  20. Web site: Lopez . Alexander . NPA rebel in Agusan Norte guv ambush nabbed in Makati . 2022-07-02 . Philippine News Agency . en.