Solomon Chungalao

Solomon Chungalao
Official portrait, 2026
Member of Philippine House of Representatives for Ifugao's at-large district
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
Preceded by	Teddy Baguilat
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Benjamin Cappleman
Succeeded by	Teddy Baguilat
House positions Member of the House Electoral Tribunal Incumbent Assumed office August 11, 2025 Chair of the House Agrarian Reform Committee In office September 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025 Preceded by Rene Relampagos Succeeded by Eleanor Begtang Chair of the House National Cultural Communities Committee In office August 3, 2004 – June 30, 2007 Preceded by Laurence Wacnang Succeeded by Samuel Dangwa
Personal details
Born	Solomon Ramirez Chungalao (1955-12-04) December 4, 1955 (age 70) Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines
Party	NPC (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2010–2018) Lakas (2007–2010) Liberal (2001–2007)
Spouse	Grace Hora
Profession	Lawyer

Solomon "Sol" Ramirez Chungalao (Filipino: [soloˈmon ˈtʃʊŋɡalaʊ]; born December 4, 1955) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who has served as the representative for the Ifugao's at-large congressional district in the Philippine House of Representatives since 2019, and previously from 2001 to 2010. He is currently a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Early life and education

Solomon Ramirez Chungalao was born on December 4, 1955, in Banaue, Ifugao, to Rufino Chungalao Sr. and Cesaria Ramirez. He attended the Baguio Colleges Foundation (now the University of the Cordilleras) where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree.

House of Representatives (2001–2010)

Chungalao was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2001, under the Liberal Party, representing Ifugao's lone district, succeeding former governor Benjamin Cappleman. By the end of his first term, he authored 52 bills and resolutions and co-authored 89 bills and resolutions.

He was re-elected in 2004 and served as the chairperson of the House National Cultural Communities Committee in the 13th Congress.

In 2007, Chungalao joined the ruling party Lakas–CMD and was re-elected to a third term. It was during his final term as congressman that House Bill No. 4409, which he principally authored and which became Republic Act No. 9720, was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, converting Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry into the Ifugao State University. Chungalao also supported charter change measures during the Arroyo administration that sought to convene the House as a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Gubernatorial and congressional bids (2010–2016)

After the end of his congressional tenure, having been term-limited, Chungalao ran for governor of Ifugao in the 2010 elections, but lost to the Liberal Party candidate Eugene Balitang.

He made a bid to return to the House in 2013 as an independent candidate, but lost to incumbent representative Teddy Baguilat. Chungalao ran against Baguilat for a second time in 2016, but again lost.

Return to House of Representatives (2019–present)

Chungalao successfully ran in 2019 for Ifugao's lone district in the House of Representatives under the Nationalist People's Coalition. In the 18th Congress, he was elected chairman of the House Agrarian Reform Committee. He principally authored 106 bills and co-authored 46 bills in his fourth legislative term, at least 16 of which were enacted into law.

Chungalao was re-elected in 2022, serving in the 19th Congress as the Agrarian Reform Committee chairman for a second time. He supported a third proposal to create a Cordillera Autonomous Region in 2020, but stated that “time was running out” as interest in the region's establishment had been declining. He also denounced the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in learning modules distributed by the Department of Education in February 2021, prompting Chungalao and fellow Cordillera lawmakers to file House Resolution No. 1552. He was one of the 215 House members who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte that led to her first impeachment in February 2025.

In 2025, Chungalao ran for a third and final term, winning against civil engineer and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas candidate Francis Cuyop. On August 11, 2025, he was elected member of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. He voted in favor of Duterte's second impeachment in May 2026.

Personal life

Chungalao is a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. He is married to Grace Hora.

Electoral history

References