Tarlac lawmaker Enrique Cojuangco, 74

Tarlac 1st District Representative Enrique Cojuangco. Photo from www.congress.gov.ph

TARLAC 1st District Representative Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco passed away early Tuesday. He was 74.

The House of Representatives said Cojuangco succumbed to aneurysm on Tuesday morning at The Medical City.

Cojuangco was president of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and chairperson of the House committee on economic affairs.

He was an uncle of President Benigno Aquino III.

Prior to his stint in Congress, Cojuangco served as vice chairman of San Miguel Corporation. Tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco is his brother.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. gave his condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives.

“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our esteemed colleague Rep. Enrique M. Cojuangco of the 1st District of Tarlac from an aneurysm this morning… on behalf of my colleagues, the officials of the Secretariat and the entire House of Representatives as well as of my family, our prayers and sympathies to Violeta, his widow, and their four children as well as to His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, Henry’s nephew,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“As we bid him farewell, we also thank Henry for his service to our government and to the Filipino people, and salute him for a job well done,” he added.

Belmonte vowed that the chamber would fast track the passage of the proposed Philippine Fair Competition Act, which seeks to demolish monopolies in the industry to level the playing field. Cojuangco is a main sponsor of the bill, which was passed on second reading on Tuesday hours after Cojuangco’s death.

“Henry has been a staunch advocate and author of the Fair Competition Bill and will always be remembered for his dedication and very pleasant demeanor. We, his colleagues, hope to keep his memory alive by taking on his significant legislative advocacies,” Belmonte said.

Nationalist People’s Coalition spokesperson Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian said Rep. Cojuangco’s wake would be at La Salle Greenhills and burial at Mount Carmel Church, New Manila.

“The Family of the late Congressman Henry Cojuangco wishes to thank all those who have sent words of encouragement and those that sent prayers for the late Congressman. Though the family is in deep sorrow because of the sudden demise of the Congressman, they are at peace knowing that the Congressman is now with his creator,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Similarly, the entire Nationalists People’s Coalition, its officers and members are saddened by the passing away of one of its party pillars. Congressman Henry served not only as party leader, but more importantly friend to the individual NPC members. The party members will see to it that the ideals the late Congressman championed in congress are carried forward by its members,” Gatchalian said.  KS/TVJ/AC

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