Solons mourn death of Tarlac Rep. Charlie Cojuangco
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers mourned Tuesday the death of Tarlac 1st District Rep. Carlos “Charlie” Cojuangco.
Cojuangco’s partymates in the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), former senator Francis Escudero and incumbent senator Lito Lapid, remembered the late congressman as a good friend.
READ: BREAK: Tarlac Rep. Charlie Cojuangco passes away
“Nakikiisa rin ang lalawigan ng Sorsogon sa pagdadalamhati ng kanyang mga taga-distrito sa Tarlac at sa mga taga-Negros Occidental na minsan rin ay kanyang pinagsilbihan,” Escudero said in a statement.
(The province of Sorsogon is together in mourning with the residents of Tarlac and Negros Occidental where he once served.)
“Hindi lamang kapartido sa Nationalist People’s Coalition ang turing ko kay Charlie kundi isang tunay na kaibigan,” he added.
(I saw him not just a partymate in the Nationalist People’s Coalition but also as a true friend.)
According to Escudero, he was with Cojuangco in the House of Representatives for nine years from 1998 to 2007 when the latter was still the representative of the fourth district of Negros Occidental.
“Mula noon ay marami na kaming pinagsamahan bilang kapwa mambabatas na nagsisilbi sa bayan at bilang magkaibigan. Nakakalungkot ang kanyang pagpanaw at kasama ako sa mga nagdarasal para sa kapayapaan ng kanyang kaluluwa,” Escudero said.
(We have shared so many memories as fellow lawmakers who served for the country and as friends. His death is saddening and I am one with those praying for his soul.)
Lapid, meanwhile, remembered Cojuangco as a public servant who helped a lot of people in Tarlac.
“Baon namin ang matatamis na alaala sa tuwing kami ay mag-uusap at magkakasama. Higit sa pagiging kapartido sa Nationalist People’s Coalition o NPC, itinuturing kong kaibigan si Charlie. Salamat sa iyong serbisyo, kaibigan. Paalam,” Lapid said.
(We will bring with us the sweet memories whenever we talk. More than being a partymate in the NPC, I saw Charlie as a friend. Thank you for your service, friend. Goodbye.)
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the lower chamber “mourns the loss of one of its eminent political party leaders.”
“His untimely demise leaves a void in the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the entire House supermajority coalition. We have lost a leader and a friend,” Velasco said in a statement.
“May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed,” the House Speaker added.
Incumbent senators Sonny Angara and Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as former senator JV Ejercito also extended their condolences to Cojuangco’s family.
“Condolences to the family friends and constituents of Tarlac Rep. Charlie Cojuangco. We served together in the [House] more than a decade ago,” Angara said in a tweet.
Condolences to the family friends and constituents of Tarlac Rep Charlie Cojuangco 🙏🏽🙏🏽 we served together in the HoR more than a decade ago
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) February 22, 2022
“I send my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of Congressman Charlie Cojuangco. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this difficult time,” Gatchalian said.
I send my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of Congressman Charlie Cojuangco. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/eqeOwdXGLP
— Win Gatchalian (@WinGatchalian74) February 22, 2022
“RIP (Rest In Peace) Charlie Cojuangco. Will miss your never die attitude in our Vios Cup Races,” Ejercito said.
RIP Charlie Cojuangco. Will miss your never die attitude in our Vios Cup Races.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) February 22, 2022
Cojuangco is the son of former Tarlac governor and 1st district representative Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. who passed away in June 2020.
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