Francisco V. Arias, mayor, lawyer, writer, publisher
Francisco V. Arias was one of the writers that came under the tutelage of Don Vicente Yap Sotto. The young Cebuano writers when the Americans came to the Philippines were Vicente Ranudo, Leoncio Avila, Potenciano Alino, Felix Sales, Tomas Bagyo, and Uldarico Alviola.
Francisco was drawn into politics when he was asked by Don Vicente Sotto to be his running mate for the local elections of Cebu in 1907. Sotto ran for the position of presidente (mayor) of Cebu. In the Nacionalista Party convention held on September 1, 1907, Sotto won with 156 votes as against Florentino Rallos' of 145 votes. Arias also defeated Dionisio Jakosalem for the position of bise presidente (today's vice mayor). Arias had 149 votes while Jakosalem garnered 117 votes.
Arias, who was chosen by Sotto to be his running mate, was only 22 years old during the election. Francisco Arias was Sotto's associate in his newspaper "Ang Suga." Before the elections, held on November 5, 1907, Sotto left Cebu for Hong Kong to avoid arrest as his conviction for the crime of abduction was affirmed by the Supreme Court. Sotto left Cebu on October 26, 1907.
Arias was left to lead Sotto's candidates for councilors and, despite the latter's absence and with the leadership of Arias, the entire slate of Sotto-Arias won the elections.
Arias assumed the post of mayor in Sotto's absence. Arias was given the task by Sotto of the so called "24 suggestions." This was published in "Ang Suga," dated February 19, 1908. Among the suggestions was the construction of a municipal cemetery, digging of artesian wells, construction of aqueducts and canals, purchase of two fire engines, abolition of the dog tax, prohibition of women and children from entering cockpits and grant of scholarships to enable young Cebuanos to study at the Liceo de Manila.
Arias, now the chief executive of the municipality of Cebu presided over the council's session on February 20, 1908 passed a resolution to send a "message of sympathy" to Sotto who was on exile in Hong Kong.
Copies of the resolution were published in "Ang Suga" on its March 16, 1908 edition. Arias also raised funds for Sotto enabling his first wife, Isabel Ruiz, to travel to Hong Kong to be with Sotto.
Governor Dionisio Jakosalem, who opted to run for governor after losing in the Nacionalista Party convention to Arias, issued an order suspending Arias and the entire members of the council. The ground for suspension was that Arias and his entire council expressing public support to Sotto was improper and similar or akin to giving support to a fugitive from the law. Governor Jakosalem appointed Arsenio Climaco (nephew of Governor Juan Climaco and also to become governor of Cebu) as mayor of Cebu.
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