Antonio Lagdameo, Jr

Antonio Ernesto "Anton" Floirendo-Lagdameo, Jr. (born January 22, 1968) is a Filipino politician and businessman. He is renowned as the politician-husband of renowned actress Dawn Zulueta and one of the scions of the wealthy Floirendo family in Mindanao.

He is a devoted public servant whose civic passion can be synopsized to his commitments to rural and agricultural development, social justice and equality, education and lifelong learning, tourism and sustainable development.

Being innately drawn to business, economics and trade, he finished his Bachelor of Business Administration in one of the Ivy League business schools: Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1989. He continued his education in 1998 at the University of Asia and the Pacific, earning a master's degree in Business Economics.

Prior to his entry to politics as Representative of the 2nd District of Davao del Norte, he was a successful businessman where his modest ingenuity and exemplary know-how in management were honed and made proficient. He was credit analyst for Manufacturers Hanover Trust bank in Manhattan, New York from 1989-1992 and after that, of National Westminster Bank in New York, NYC for a year. He then became Director of Cambrick Trading Ltd. in London from 1993-1996. After his professional stint abroad, he came back to the country and served as the Vice President of Anflo Management & Investment Corp. in Davao from 1996 until 2007.

Rep. Lagdameo, one of the young stalwarts in the political fence of the Mindanao Axis has espoused numerous bills whose focus is to improve the lives of not only of the Davaoenos in his District but of the entire nation as a whole. His adeptness in sound development management and innate passion and pursuits for service translated into significant legislations bringing about pronounced progress in the Province of Davao del Norte.

Among the pieces of notable legislation that he has authored are those that promote the constitutional right of all the citizens to quality education and making education accessible to all. He also endeavors to address health development of the people through bills that would make the same and other social services accessible to the people at affordable costs.

Adding to his modest list of legislative accomplishments are laws and bills that he authored/co-authored are those dealing with urban land reform and housing, agrarian reform and agriculture; including those that urge economic and local government reforms; expedite the dispensation of justice; provide for a progressive system of taxation; protect the sanctity of the ballots in the people’s exercise of their right to suffrage; put in place mitigation and adaptation measures on global warming and climate change; and most significantly those that promote the continued development of his District and the welfare of the Filipinos in general.

At present, he is a member of the Committees on Agrarian Reform, Ecology, Legislative Franchises, Mindanao Affairs, Accounts; and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (COCAAP).

True to his belief that making a difference in the society is more than seeing direct results but pursuing a higher ideal of good life, he actively facilitates the funding of livelihood projects, construction and rehabilitation of schools, multi-purpose buildings, health centers and concreting of roads in his district.

Lagdameo is also a member of the Commission on Appointments, an independent body separate and distinct from the Legislature, though composed of members of Congress that acts as a restraint against the abuse of the appointing power of the President by approving only those who are fit and qualified to ensure the efficient and harmonious functioning of the government. He chairs the Committees on Tourism and Economic Development; and Trade and Industry.

Lagdameo is a grandson of "banana king" Antonio Floirendo Sr. through the latter's daughter Linda Floirendo-Lagdameo.