Tomás Lluisma Cabili (7 March 1903 – 17 March 1957) was a Filipino lawyer, journalist, educator, and politician who served as an assemblyman, senator, and briefly as Secretary of National Defense and Communications during the mid‑20th century. He is also remembered for his role in the resistance against Japanese occupation in World War II and for being one of the victims of the 1957 Cebu Douglas C‑47 plane crash that killed President Ramon Magsaysay.
Early life and education
Cabili was born in Iligan, Misamis (now part of Lanao del Norte), Philippines, to Guillermo Cabili and Epifania H. Lluisma. He attended primary school in Iligan and completed secondary studies at several institutions, including Zamboanga Provincial High School, Cebu High School, Silliman Institute, and Cebu Provincial High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Philippines Cebu in 1925 and later obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Philippine College of Law in 1929.
Career before politics
After passing the bar examination, Cabili practiced law in his home province. He worked as an instructor at the Visayan Institute’s College of Law and Liberal Arts (1929–1930). As a journalist, he reported for The Advertiser and was on staff at Cebu’s newspaper The Freeman (1924–1926). He also served as a correspondent for the National News Service and contributed to publications such as the DMIM Papers and The Graphic.
Political career
- Local administration: In 1934 Cabili was appointed Justice of the Peace for Lanao’s 17th Municipal District and Acting Justice of the Peace in Dansalan (now Marawi). He served as a delegate to the 1934 Constitutional Convention, notably being the sole delegate who refused to sign the 1935 Philippine Constitution.
- National Assembly: Elected from Lanao’s at‑large district to the First National Assembly (1935–1941) and re‑elected to the Second National Assembly in 1938, where he chaired the Committee on Privileges and participated in numerous other committees.
- World War II: Joined the guerrilla resistance against Japanese occupation; served in the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), attaining the rank of colonel.
- Secretary of National Defense and Communications: Held this cabinet post from 27 February to 11 July 1945 under President Sergio Osmeña.
- Senate: Elected senator in 1946, re‑elected in 1949, and served until the end of his term on 30 December 1955. He was Senate Majority Leader from 21 February 1949 to 25 January 1954.
Death
Cabili died in the 1957 Cebu Douglas C‑47 crash at Mount Manunggal, Balamban, Cebu, alongside President Ramon Magsaysay and 23 others. He was 54 years old.
Legacy
- A barangay in Iligan City was renamed Barangay Tomas L. Cabili in his honor (1982).
- A former Philippine Constabulary camp, now a Philippine National Police office in Barangay Tipanoy, Iligan City, also bears his name.
Cabili is remembered for his contributions to journalism, law, and public service, as well as his involvement in the resistance movement during World War II and his tragic death in one of the Philippines’ most notable aviation disasters.