Leonardo de Leon, who served as Angat mayor for 36 years, dies at 86
ANGAT, BULACAN—Leonardo “Narding” de Leon, affectionately known as the “Legendary Mayor of Bulacan” for his nearly 60 years of public service, passed away on Sunday due to a heart attack, local officials and close friends confirmed on Monday. He was 86.
De Leon, who served as the mayor of Angat for 36 years across four non-consecutive terms, died at around 1 p.m. in a hospital in Baliwag City, also in Bulacan, according to Clemente Junio, a former barangay captain of Sulucan in this town and one of De Leon’s close allies.
He was aiming for a new term as Angat mayor in the midterm elections this May when he died.
The late mayor, who had survived a heart operation in the mid-2000s, also once served as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Bulacan Chapter.
De Leon began his career in public service in 1964 as a government employee. His journey as an elected official started in 1971 when he became a municipal councilor, followed by a stint as vice mayor from 1981 to 1986.
Early years
His first term as mayor began in 1986 when he was appointed officer in charge of Angat by then President Corazon Aquino.
Over the years, he served four terms as mayor: 1986 to 1995, 1998 to 2007, 2010 to 2013, and 2013 to 2022.
Even after his defeat in the 2022 vice mayoral race, De Leon remained committed to helping the people of Angat, welcoming residents who sought his assistance at his home.
Known for his humility and dedication, De Leon rose from humble beginnings as the son of a poor farmer in Barangay Niugan, Angat. He spent his early years working as a farmer in the Ilocos region while pursuing his education.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Manuel L. Quezon University in Quezon City and later graduated with a law degree from the University of the East.
De Leon’s career in governance began in 1964 when he worked as an employee in the Provincial Government of Bulacan before being appointed a technical assistant in the Angat municipal government in 1965.
Despite his loss in the recent elections, De Leon remained a beloved figure in Angat, with many residents urging him to run for office again.
On social media, his daughter, former municipal administrator Claris de Leon, paid tribute to her father, posting a photo of him with the caption, “No words, just love.”
