Toby Tiangco

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Marcelo and the surname or paternal family name is Tiangco.

Tobias Reynald Marcelo Tiangco (born November 21, 1967) is a Filipino businessman and politician currently serving as congressman for Navotas' lone district since 2022, position he previously held from 2010 to 2019. He was also the Mayor of Navotas for several times.

The Honorable Toby Tiangco
Official portrait of Tiangco during the 19th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Navotas
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Preceded by	John Rey Tiangco
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	John Rey Tiangco
Mayor of Navotas
In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Vice Mayor	Clint Geronimo
Preceded by	John Rey Tiangco
Succeeded by	John Rey Tiangco
In office May 12, 2000 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Cipriano Bautista
Succeeded by	John Rey Tiangco
In office June 30, 1998 – February 1, 1999
Preceded by	Cipriano Bautista
Succeeded by	Cipriano Bautista
Vice Mayor of Navotas
In office February 1, 1999 – May 12, 2000
In office June 1, 1998 – June 30, 1998
Personal details
Born	Tobias Reynald Marcelo Tiangco (1967-11-21) November 21, 1967 Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Political party	Navoteño
Other political affiliations	UNA (2012–2016) NPC (2001–2016)
Spouse	Michelle Romuáldez-Yap
Relations	John Rey Tiangco (brother)
Children	Tommy Tiangco
Residence(s)	Navotas West, Navotas
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University (BS)
Profession	Politician, businessperson
Signature
Website	TobyTiangco.com

Early life and education

Tiangco was born into a middle-class family on November 21, 1967, in Manila. He is the son of Restituto B. Tiangco and Erlinda M. Tiangco. His father is a second cousin of the broadcaster Mel Tiangco. He helped his parents by working at the early age with his brother, John Rey.

Tiangco attended primary and secondary education at Xavier School in San Juan and later graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Management from Ateneo de Manila University in 1989.

Business career

He worked as the Assistant Operation Manager at the Engineering & Maintenance Department of Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corporation from 1991 to 1994 and was promoted to General Manager in 1994 and Executive Vice President in 1996. Tiangco also worked as the chief executive officer of Pacific Tomich Corporation.

Political career

Vice Mayor of Navotas (1998; 1999–2000)

Tiangco first sat as the vice mayor of the then-municipality of Navotas in early 1998. On June 30, 1998, Tiangco ascended as mayor due to an electoral protest against Mayor Cipriano Bautista but became vice-mayor again on February 1, 1999.

Mayor of Navotas (2000–2010)

On May 12, 2000, Mayor Cipriano Bautista died, resulting in Tiangco's second accession as mayor until June 30, 2001. Tiangco ran for a fresh term with running mate Lutgardo Cruz, but Patrick Joseph Javier, an independent, won the vice-mayoral seat.

In 2004, Navotas was awarded as the “Cleanest Municipality of NCR”, and Tiangco remained mayor of Navotas until 2010. He also founded Partido Navoteño in the same year. He focused on the issues of garbage, and the beatification of Navotas City Hall. In 2007, Navotas was converted into a city, resulting in Tiangco becoming the first City Mayor. His brother John Rey succeeded him following the 2010 elections.

Congressman (2010–2019)

Official portrait of Rep. Tiangco during the 16th Congress

Tiangco ran for Congress unopposed and assumed office on June 30, 2010, as the first representative of Navotas's at-large congressional district. As congressman, he gave scholarships to 900 Navoteños, and ensured free medical treatment major hospitals with his Medical Assistance Ordinance. He also initiated subsidized housing projects in Barangay Tanza.

In 2012, Tiangco served as a state witness at the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. Corona ended up being impeached and removed from office.

Tiangco joined United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and later became party president. In 2013, he sought for a second term and won with 70.05% of votes, defeating Rico de Guzmán, a former balút vendor.

Tiangco ran for a third and final term in 2016 and won. In July 2016, Tiangco left and resigned as party president of UNA over a House minority leadership row and became part of the independent minority in the House of Representatives until his term ended in 2019.

Mayor of Navotas (2019–2022)

Being barred for reelection in congress, he ran for Mayor of Navotas in 2019. He was successful, defeating 2nd district councilor Dan Israel Ang by a wide margin. Tiangco succeeded his younger brother, John Rey, who in turn took his vacated seat as representative for the lone district of Navotas. He was in-charge of the Navotas city government during the COVID-19 pandemic. He donated his salary from April 2020 to the end of his term in June 2022 worth almost ₱3.3 million to families who are not part of the national government's emergency subsidy program.

Congressman (2022–present)

Tiangco once again ran for Congressman and switched places with his brother John Rey in 2022 and elected in a landslide victory. In 2024, he became the campaign manager of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition ahead of the 2025 elections.

Personal life

Tiangco married Michelle Romuáldez Yap and together they have a son nicknamed Tommy.