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]

Maria Angelica Amante
Amante-Matba in 2019
Governor of Agusan del Norte
Assumed office
June 30, 2022
Preceded byDale Corvera
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byErlpe John Amante
Succeeded byDale Corvera
In office
June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004
Preceded byEduardo Rama
Succeeded byErlpe John Amante
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Agusan del Norte's Second District
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byErlpe John Amante
Succeeded byDale Corvera
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013
Preceded byEdelmiro Amante
Succeeded byErlpe John Amante
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byEdelmiro Amante
Succeeded byEdelmiro Amante
Personal details
Born
Maria Angelica Rosedell Malbas Amante

(1970-04-16) April 16, 1970 (age 54)
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, Philippines
Political partyPDP (2016-present)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (2010-2016)
Lakas-CMD (until 2010)
SpouseRashidin H. Matba
Alma materFather Saturnino Urios University
Trinity University of Asia (BS)
ProfessionRegistered Nurse, Politician

Early life and education

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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.[4]

Political career

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Amante-Matba in 2019

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.[7] 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).[citation needed]

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.[8] She served for one term before running as mayor of Butuan in 2007 which she lost to incumbent Democrito Plaza.[9]

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.[10][7] 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

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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

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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]

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  • "Member Information: Ma. Angelica M. Amante-Matba". House of Representatives of the Philippines.

References

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  1. ^ "#HalalanResults: Sister beats brother for Agusan del Norte House seat". ABS-CBN News.
  2. ^ PIA Caraga on November 10, 2017. "AgNor Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba". pia.gov.ph.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ PIA Caraga. "Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba". pia.gov.ph.
  4. ^ a b "Governor's Corner". Province of Agusan del Norte. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  5. ^ Bas, Rene Q. (16 April 2007). "Citizens group list RP's political dynasties". The Manila Times. pp. A1. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  6. ^ "'Bagets' bets slay Goliaths". Manila Standard. 26 May 1995. p. 6. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Personal Profile of Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante". Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Mindanao: Landed, royal clans dominate". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Amante eager to join race for House speakership". The Manila Times. 2 June 2007. pp. A7. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  10. ^ Press and Public Affairs Bureau. "Amante-Matba lauds the role of women as legislators". congress.gov.ph.
  11. ^ ABS-CBN News on December 12, 2016 (12 December 2016). "Duterte admits 'love at first sight' with Mindanao Gov".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Politiko Mindanao (19 June 2017). "Parang first lady na!".
  13. ^ Politiko Visayas (22 October 2016). "Meet the governor who stole Duterte's heart".
  14. ^ Politiko Mindanao (22 January 2018). "Muling ibalik? Gov Angel Matba meets with Duterte again".
  15. ^ Politiko Mindanao (25 September 2016). "Agusan Governor Angel Matba gets one-on-one session with Duterte".
  16. ^ Politiko Visayas (20 January 2017). "Couple Angel-Rashidin Matba Show up in Malacanang".
  17. ^ Politiko Mindanao (11 July 2018). "Governors Angel and Rashidin Matba get to bond with Duterte in Malacañang".
  18. ^ Judie Anne Abejero on March 27, 2015. "Attempted ambush against Agusan Del Norte Gov".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Karlos Manlupig on March 27, 2015. "NPA attacks Agusan del Norte Governor's convoy".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Lopez, Alexander. "NPA rebel in Agusan Norte guv ambush nabbed in Makati". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2022-07-02.