# Eutiquio Boyles

Eutiquio Boyles (November 21, 1874 – January 15, 1955) was a Filipino politician who was the 6th Governor of Bohol from 1916 to 1919, presidente municipal of Ubay, Bohol from 1902 to 1906, and a member of the Philippine Assembly from Bohol's 3rd congressional district from 1907 to 1912.

## Early life

Boyles, also known as Inko Okoy, was born in Sitio Bood (now Barangay Bood), Ubay, Bohol, on November 21, 1874. Born out of wedlock, he was brought up by his mother, Nicasia Boyles. His father was Francisco Reyes. His paternal great-grandmother Berudja Reyes was a survivor of the aftermath of Dagohoy revolution.

## Education

Boyles left for Cebu to pursue higher education, which was uncommon at the time. To continue his studies, he later worked for rich families in Cebu. He enrolled at the night high school of San Carlos Seminary and later obtained the Spanish curriculum of "Titulo de Maestro."
His father, Franciso Reyes, soon realized the determination of his son's dream to continue his education. He later provided financial support and sent the young Boyles to Manila. Boyles was later admitted and enrolled at the Universidad de Santo Tomas. He completed his Bacheller en Artes at the same university.

## Political career

After his graduation, Boyles returned to his hometown in Ubay. With his completed education, he was appointed municipal secretary by the presidente municipal of Ubay. Afterwards, he was appointed inspector of customs at the Port of Ubay, which is a prime gateway of the Bohol province in nearby provinces of Cebu, Leyte and Samar.
During the American occupation, he assumed post as Justice of the peace (Juez de Paz) of the municipality until 1902. He was later succeeded by his half-brother Nicanor Reyes.
In the 1902 municipal election, he was elected presidente municipal (mayor) of Ubay, becoming the chief executive of his hometown. He only served for one term in the office until 1906.
After his stint as municipal president, his constituents encouraged him to run as assemblyman in the inaugural Philippine Legislature, which was established through the Philippine Organic Act of 1902. The Act mandates establishing the Philippine Assembly to be elected by the Filipinos two years after the publication of a census and only after peace had been restored completely in the country. He gladly accepted the challenge and ran as an independent.
During the first Philippine Assembly elections on July 30, 1907, Boyles was elected the first assemblyman of the third district of Bohol, becoming a member of the 1st Philippine Legislature. The third district was then composed of 12 large municipalities which includes the entire eastern half of Bohol, from Valencia to barangay Pangpang (now municipality of Buenavista), Getafe.
During the 1909 Philippine Assembly elections held on November 2, 1909, he ran again and won for his second term as assemblyman of the third district of Bohol.
In the 1916 Philippine General Election, Boyles ran and was elected governor of Bohol, becoming the 6th elected chief executive of the province. He served in the office for one term, from October 16, 1916, to October 15, 1919.
After his stint as governor, he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes of the Philippines and served from 1919 to 1923.

## Personal life

He married Gabina del Valle, and they had one daughter, Filomena.

## Later life

Boyles retired in politics and later engaged in farming and guano business at Pupog Cave in Mabini, Bohol. He eventually expanded his business in his hometown in Sitio Bood (now barangay Bood), in Ubay, Bohol until the Second World War.
He died on January 15, 1955, at the age 80.

## Legacy

Sampongon is a former sitio of separated barangay of San Isidro, in Pilar. It became an independent barangay in 1951. When Pilar became a municipality in 1961, it wanted to include Sampongon on its jurisdiction. However, residents of the village chose to remain part of Ubay.
Later in 1965, Sampongon was renamed Governor Boyles, in honor of Governor Eutiquio Boyles, the first elected governor of the province from the municipality of Ubay.