Cong. Carlos “Charlie” Cojuangco. From the Facebook of China Jocson
BACOLOD CITY — The children of the late Tarlac First District Rep. Charlie Cojuangco have vowed to continue the legacy of their father who died last Feb. 22.
“Congressman Charlie Cojuangco has left us physically but his legacy, which he built in the 4th District of Negros Occidental, will continue to stand as a living testament of his love and dedication for public service,” said his daughter Claudia Diaz Cojuangco.
Claudia spoke at the end of the Requiem Mass at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 2.
She was joined by her brother Jaime, and aunt, Liza Cojuangco Cruz.
The event was attended by about a thousand people.
Charlie, 58, succumbed to arrhythmia dysautonomia at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig’s Global City on February 22.
He was driving in a circuit race at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga when he suffered from a brain aneurysm on Oct. 26, 2021. He underwent surgery but did not regain consciousness.
At the time of his death, he was congressman of the first district of Tarlac.
Charlie was mayor of Pontevedra town from 1992 to 1998 and congressman of the fourth district of Negros Occidental from 1998 to 2007.
“Today, it is that belief that comforts us — that he is no longer in pain, at peace with the Lord,” Claudia said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Negros Occidental mourns over the loss of a devoted public servant who dedicated 15 years of his life to the people and municipality of Pontevedra and the 4th District of Negros Occidental.
“His commitment to the delivery of basic and needed services to his constituents, particularly infrastructure, has greatly benefited not just his district, but the entire southern Negros Occidental,” Lacson said.
“As the principal author of the Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park Act of 2001, the entire province will be forever grateful for his commitment to sustainable development, that translated to the protection and conservation of Mt. Kanlaon, including its communities of people, their culture, and way of life, insofar as they are in harmony with nature,” Lacson added.
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