Peping Cojuangco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honorable José Cojuangco Jr.
Cojuangco in 2016
9th President of the Philippine Olympic Committee
In office January 2005 – March 5, 2018
Preceded by	Celso Dayrit
Succeeded by	Victorico P. Vargas
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Tarlac's 1st district
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998
Preceded by	District recreated Post last held by Danding Cojuangco
Succeeded by	Gilbert Teodoro
In office December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1969
Preceded by	Jose Roy
Succeeded by	Danding Cojuangco
Mayor of Paniqui, Tarlac
In office 1959–1961
Vice Mayor of Paniqui, Tarlac
In office 1957–1959
Member of the Paniqui Municipal Council
In office 1955–1957
Personal details
Born	José Sumulong Cojuangco Jr. (1934-09-19) September 19, 1934 (age 90) Intramuros, Manila, Philippine Islands
Political party	Lakas–CMD (2008–present)
Other political affiliations	Nacionalista (1955–1965) Liberal (1965–1978) Laban (1978–1983) PDP–Laban (1983–1988) LDP (1988–1997) KAMPI (1997–2008)
Spouse	Margarita de los Reyes
Children	5 (inc. Mikee)
Residences	Dasmariñas Village, Makati, Metro Manila

José "Peping" Sumulong Cojuangco Jr. (born September 19, 1934) is a well-known Filipino leader, sports organizer, and businessman. He was the 9th president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from 2004 to 2018. Before that, he served as a Representative for Tarlac's 1st district. He held this role from 1961 to 1969 and again from 1987 to 1998.

Mr. Cojuangco started his public service in Paniqui, Tarlac. There, he was a councilor, then vice mayor, and finally mayor. He comes from the famous Cojuangco family. His sister, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, became President of the Philippines. His nephew, Benigno Aquino III, also became president.

Early Life

José Cojuangco Jr. was born on September 19, 1934. His parents were José Cojuangco Sr. and Demetria Sumulong.

Political Career

Serving in Local Government

Mr. Cojuangco began his political journey in his hometown of Paniqui, Tarlac. From 1955 to 1957, he was a member of the town council. He then became the Vice Mayor of Paniqui in 1957, serving until 1959. In 1959, he was elected Mayor of Paniqui and held that position until 1961.

First Time as Congressman (1960s)

In 1961, Mr. Cojuangco was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He represented the First District of Tarlac province. At that time, he was the youngest member in the House of Representatives.

He helped create the first Land Reform Code of the Philippines. This law aimed to help farmers own the land they worked on. He also wrote the Agriculture Marketing News Services Law. This law helped farmers get better information about selling their crops.

Mr. Cojuangco was re-elected as a congressman in 1965. He served until 1969.

Working with LABAN and PDP–Laban Parties

In 1978, Mr. Cojuangco became the campaign manager for the LABAN party. This party was led by Senator Benigno Aquino Jr..

Later, in 1983, he was elected Secretary-General of the PDP–Laban party. A year later, he became the party's president. He also managed the presidential campaign for his sister, Corazon Aquino, in 1986. After that election, he became a leader in the movement that led to the 1986 People Power Revolution. This was a peaceful uprising that helped change the country's leadership.

Second Time as Congressman (1980s–1990s)

From 1987 to 1998, Mr. Cojuangco was elected again as a member of the House of Representatives for Tarlac's First District. He won re-election in 1992 and 1995.

During his time in Congress, he helped create important laws. He was a main author of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. This law created the Philippine National Police. It also brought many public safety groups under one government department. He also worked on the Agrarian Reform Communities Act, which aimed to help farming communities.

Involvement with KAMPI

Mr. Cojuangco was the first chairman of the Kampi party. This party was formed in 1997 to support Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for president. Later, Arroyo decided to run for vice president instead.

Mr. Cojuangco stayed with Kampi. The party continued to support President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her 2004 presidential campaign.

Sports Administration Career

Mr. Cojuangco has also led several sports groups. He was the former President of the Philippine Junior Bowlers and the RP Golf Association. He also helped start the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners. He is also the president of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines.

Leading the Philippine Olympic Committee

In November 2004, Mr. Cojuangco ran for President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). The POC is the main group that oversees sports in the Philippines and prepares athletes for international games. He won the election and officially became president in January 2005.

He also led the Phil Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee. This group was in charge of organizing the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Under his leadership, the Philippines won the most medals at these games. However, the country's ranking dropped in later games.

Mr. Cojuangco won a second term as POC president in 2008. He won again for a third term in 2012. In 2016, he won his fourth term without anyone running against him. However, this election was later cancelled by a court. A new election was held on February 23, 2018. Ricky Vargas won this election, ending Mr. Cojuangco's 13 years as POC president.

Business Career

In 2010, it was reported that Mr. Cojuangco was a board member of Hacienda Luisita Inc. and Tarlac Development Corporation.

Personal Life

Mr. Cojuangco is married to Margarita "TingTing" de los Reyes. She is the President of the Philippine Public Safety College and used to be the Governor of Tarlac. They have five daughters, including Mikaela Ma. Antonia.

He is the younger brother of Corazon Aquino and the uncle of Benigno Aquino III. Both of them became Philippine presidents. He is the last living sibling of Corazon Aquino.