Danding Cojuangco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.
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Cojuangco in 2020
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| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Tarlac's 1st District | |
| In office December 30, 1969 – September 23, 1972 |
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| Preceded by | José Cojuangco Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Post later held by Jose Cojuangco Jr. |
| Governor of Tarlac | |
| In office December 30, 1967 – December 30, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Benigno Aquino Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eduardo Murphy Cojuangco Jr.
June 10, 1935 Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippine Islands |
| Died | June 16, 2020 (aged 85) Taguig, Philippines |
| Political party | Nationalist People's Coalition (1991–2020) |
| Other political affiliations |
Nacionalista (1967–1991) |
| Spouse | Soledad "Gretchen" Oppen-Cojuangco |
| Children | 6 (including 2 daughters with Aileen Damiles) |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Los Baños California Polytechnic State University |
| Occupation | Politician, businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Air Force |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Reserves |
Eduardo "Danding" Murphy Cojuangco Jr. (June 10, 1935 – June 16, 2020) was a Filipino businessman and politician. He was the chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, the largest food and beverage corporation in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He served as a Philippine ambassador and governor of Tarlac. In 2016, his personal wealth was estimated at US$1.16 billion, and it was estimated that at one time, his business empire accounted for 25% of the gross national product of the Philippines.
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Early life and education
Eduardo Murphy Cojuangco Jr. was born on June 10, 1935, the first-born child of Eduardo Chichioco Cojuangco and Josephine B. Murphy. He completed his high school education at De La Salle College. He attended UP Los Baños and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Life during the Marcos administration
Cojuangco's close relationship with Philippine president Ferdinand E. Marcos earned him a reputation as one of the late dictator's most powerful "cronies." He was called "one of the country's leading businessmen".
Role during Martial Law
Cojuangco was the only civilian among the "Rolex 12", a group of 12 men who planned and enforced the 1972 imposition of Martial Law. He was accused of being the mastermind behind Benigno Aquino Jr.'s assassination by one of the military men convicted in the Aquino-Galman murder case, although Aquino's daughter Kris has stated that whomever she believes killed her father she could "categorically say not Danding Cojuangco."
Political roles after 1986
When Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by the People Power revolution in February 1986, Cojuangco was flown out of the country and into exile along with the Marcos family and Fabian Ver, departing in the early morning of February 25, 1986. Cojuangco was allowed to return in 1989, having spent most of his exile breeding and racing horses in Australia.
In 1992, Cojuangco founded the Nationalist People's Coalition to serve as his vehicle to further his aspirations in the 1992 presidential elections. He was a candidate for the Philippine presidency in 1992, ultimately losing in a tight election to Fidel V. Ramos. Ramos received 23.6% of the vote. Miriam Defensor Santiago came in second with 19.7% and Cojuangco came in third with 18.2%.
He further tested the political waters in 2003, intending to run in the 2004 presidential election, but soon withdrew. He eventually became chairman emeritus of the NPC, wielding influence that earned him a reputation as a "kingmaker" in Philippine politics.
Involvement in sports
Cojuangco advocated sports in the country, notably basketball, having supported it since the 1980s as a basketball godfather with his Northern Consolidated team. Through San Miguel Corporation, he was able to own three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association: the flagship San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and Star Hotshots. He was also a key benefactor of the De La Salle Green Archers men's basketball team.
He also served as the founding chairman of the horse racing body Philippine Racing Commission from 1975 to 1978.
Personal life
Cojuangco was the eldest child of Eduardo C. Cojuangco Sr. and Josephine B. Murphy. His mother, the daughter of an Irish-Canadian U.S. Army volunteer who married a Filipina woman, was born and raised in Baguio. His father, Eduardo Sr., the son of Melecio Cojuangco, was of Chinese descent.
He was married to Soledad "Gretchen" Oppen of Negros Occidental. They had four children: Margarita "Tina" Cojuangco Barrera, Luisa "Lisa" Cojuangco-Cruz, Carlos "Charlie" Cojuangco, and Marcos "Mark" Cojuangco. Although later separated, the couple remained legally married even after The Philippine Star reported in March 2018 that Cojuangco was living with 1996 Binibining Pilipinas Universe winner Aileen Damiles and their two daughters.
Death
Cojuangco died on June 16, 2020, of heart failure and pneumonia at the St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City, six days after his 85th birthday.
