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The Honorable
Francisco Garcia Rabat
The Honorable Francisco Garcia Rabat
4th Governor of Davao Oriental
	In office; 1978–1986
Preceded by	Teodoro Palma Gil
Succeeded by	Josefina Sibala
Mayor of Mati
	In office; June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007
Succeeded by	Michelle Nakpil Rabat
Personal details
Born	Francisco Garcia Rabat; June 19, 1934
Died	July 19, 2008 (aged 74); Davao City, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Spouse	Merced Edith Nakpil
Children	5
	Basketball career
Personal information
Listed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Career information
High school	Ateneo de Davao (Davao City)
College	Ateneo
Number	4
Men's basketball
Representing Philippines
FIBA World Championship
Asian Games

Francisco "Paking" Garcia Rabat (June 19, 1934^[1] – July 19, 2008^[2]) was a Filipino politician and basketball player.^[3]

Basketball career

Rabat was a member of the Philippine national basketball team and was part of the squad that won the bronze medal at the 1954 FIBA World Championship, the best finish ever by the country in the World Championships, losing only to the United States and Brazil.^[4] He was given the monicker, "Rajah of Rebound".^[2] At 18 years old, Rabat was also the youngest player in the squad.^[5] In college basketball, he played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and was the MVP in the 1953 NCAA basketball championship.^[5]

Political career

Rabat served as Governor of Davao Oriental from 1978 to 1986.^[6] As governor, he oversaw the project for the Mati Airport.^[7] He also served as the mayor of Mati. With Joel Mayo Almario, whose family is a political rival of the Rabats, Rabat successfully lobbied for the cityhood of Mati. Mati, a former municipality, became a component city on June 19, 2007, after a plebiscite held the day before.^[1] He sought re-election in 2007 local elections but withdrew his bid after he was diagnosed with cancer. His daughter Michelle Nakpil Rabat campaigned in his stead and was elected, becoming Mati's second mayor as a component city.^[2]

Death

Rabat died on July 19, 2008, while confined at the Davao Doctors Hospital due to cancer.^[2]

Personal life

He was married with Edith Nakpil, a former beauty queen who competed in the Miss Philippines pageant. Rabat had four sons and a daughter with Nakpil.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Duallo, Neela (July 1, 2008). "Vision, action, and inspiration made City of Mati". Philippine Information Agency Archive. Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Duallo, Neela (July 22, 2008). "Rajah of "rebound" is dead". Philippine Information Agency Archive. Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Michelle Nakpil Rabat". Mati Official Website. Mati City Government. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^ "Francisco Rabat profile, World Championship for Men 1954". FIBA. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Alinea, Eddie (August 21, 2019). "The PH bags bronze in FIBA 1954 WC". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Davao Oriental - History Background". National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office XI. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^ Palicte, Che (October 10, 2019). "Mati City airport dev't pushed". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2021.