San Miguel Corp. Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco has died at 85.
An ally of then Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, Cojuangco survived political exile to regain and remake the Philippines’ largest food-and-drink company. San Miguel President Ramon Ang said in a text message Wednesday that Cojuangco died Tuesday.
San Miguel has dominated the Philippine beer, soft-drink and food industries since it was formed in the 19th century. During Cojuangco’s second stint as its leader, the company expanded by buying the local Coca-Cola franchise, Australia-based National Foods and other businesses. In 2008, Cojuangco broadened the company’s base by investing in the energy sector, saying there was more growth potential there.
Eduardo Murphy Cojuangco Jr., known as “Danding,” was born in Manila on June 10, 1935, to a family that controlled business and politics in Tarlac province, north of the capital.
In 1965, while losing a bid for a congressional seat, he cemented his ties to Marcos, his party’s successful presidential candidate, according to “Boss Danding,” a 2003 biography. Seven years later, he was part of the inner circle that helped Marcos plan the imposition of martial law, according to the book and other accounts.
“I will never deny that I was close to Marcos,” Cojuangco told reporters in 1998. “It is the connotation that a crony is a crook that hurts.”
He fled with Marcos into exile in 1986. Cojuangco spent most of his exile in Australia, where he bred and raced horses. In 1992, three years after returning, he ran for president, placing third. He regained chairmanship at San Miguel in 1998.
Senators mourn
Senators, meanwhile, mourned Cojuangco’s passing, describing him as someone whose fervent faith in the capabilities of Filipinos led him to constantly search for new ways to prime industries and agriculture.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) that Cojuangco had founded, said in a statement:
“I join the nation in mourning the passing of a titan in Philippine business and politics.
“The passing of our NPC chairman, Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco Jr., leaves a big hole in our hearts.
“He lived an extraordinary life, a successful man who wore many hats as he made waves in the business sector and splashes in public service. The vast ocean of entrepreneurship and political leadership will never drift as suavely and smoothly without his engaging presence.
“The legacy and vision of NPC’s big boss will continue with all its members, friends and especially, among his family.”
The Senate President concluded, “the Sotto clan mourns the loss of a mentor and beloved friend. Salamat sa lahat lahat, Boss Danding.”
For her part, Sen. Grace Poe, whose late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., was also a good friend of Cojuangco, said: “Mr. Danding Cojuangco always looked for ways to empower communities.
“He opened up opportunities for pervasive success as he believed deeply in the capabilities of Filipinos.
“We are saddened by his passing, but we celebrate a legacy, too, of the man behind iconic Filipino brands who in so many ways gave his share to make our country better,” added Poe.
With a report by Butch Fernandez.
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