Flags fly at half-mast as Negros mourns passing of Rep. Charlie Cojuangco
Negros Occidental map
BACOLOD CITY — Flags flew at half-mast across this city and local governments in Negros Occidental as various sectors grieved over the death of Rep. Charlie Cojuangco of Tarlac’s first district on Tuesday.
Cojuangco, 58, was mayor of Pontevedra town, Negros Occidental from 1992 to 1998 and congressman of the province’s fourth district from 1998 to 2007.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said people of Negros Occidental grieve the death of Cojuangco who accomplished many projects when he was representative of the fourth district.
Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso said they will offer prayers for the eternal repose of Cojuangco.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo said it is proper to honor Cojuangco for the things he did for Negros.
“Cong. Charlie will always be remembered by the people of Bago for all his benevolent contributions in the development of our city through various infrastructure projects, sports activities, among others,” the mayor said.
READ: Tarlac Rep. Charlie Cojuangco; 58
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said Cojuangco’s “legacy as a public servant and philanthropist will surely resonate across generations.”
Cojuangco introduced two innovations on road building that have been adapted nationwide by the Department of Public Works and Highways: the rip rapping of waterways on the roadsides and the elevation of roads.
He was also the principal author of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Act and the Solid Waste Management Act.
Cojuangco was driving in a circuit race at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga when he suffered an aneurysm on October 26, 2021. He underwent surgery but did not regain consciousness.
The incident happened 16 days after he married China Jocson at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac.
Cojuangco was previously married to Rio Diaz, a beauty queen, television presenter, actress, and vice mayor of Pontevedra town, who succumbed to cancer in 2004. They were survived by their children Claudia and Jaime.
Cojuangco’s father was the late Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, founder of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
READ: Business tycoon Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco dies at 85
He was survived by his mother Soledad “Gretchen” Oppen Cojuangco, brother Marcos “Mark” Cojuangco and sisters Margarita “Tina” Cojuangco Barrera, and Luisa “Lisa” Cojuangco-Cruz.
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