‘Joecon,’ PH industrialist and Namfrel co-founder, dies at 92

NAMFREL Chairman Emeritus Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. – | PHOTO: Official facebook page of NAMFREL

MANILA, Philippines — Jose “Joecon” Concepcion Jr., co-founder of election watchdog National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), died at 92 on Wednesday.

His family announced Concepcion’s death in a statement but did not say the circumstances of his death.

Before establishing Namfrel, Concepcion was the Secretary of Trade and Industry and former Chairman of the Board of RFM Corporation.

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“Joecon was the epitome of the patriot-industrialist. He believed in the Philippines’ ability to achieve economic development that was inclusive and pro-Filipino,” the statement read.

Concepcion’s family also noted Joecon’s ability to mobilize the public during the 1986 snap Presidential elections, when he convinced thousands of Filipinos to join Namfrel.

His family also remembered his time as a detainee during martial law under former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., where they narrated that Concepcion organized his fellow detainees to take turns with chores and keep order inside their cell block.

Even after retirement, Concepcion served as a Barangay Captain of Forbes Park in Makati City.

“Joecon lived his life in adherence to his principles: that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” his family said.

Concepcion is survived by his wife, Maria Victoria Araneta-Concepcion, his eight children, his 31 grandchildren, and his twin brother, Raul.

Public viewing for his wake will begin on Thursday, March 7, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.

A Requiem Mass will also be offered on Monday, March 11, at 1:15 p.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church, Forbes Park, Makati City.

 Transparency and free enterprise 

In a statement, the Makati Business Club (MBC) mourned the death of Concepcion, recognizing his contributions to achieving transparency, democracy, and free enterprise in the country.

“As a leader of Namfrel he helped establish transparency in the historic 1986 election. He was an MBC trustee at the same time (1984 to 1986),” said the MBC in a statement.

“He then helped re-establish democracy and free enterprise as Trade and Industry secretary from 1986 to 1991,” it added.

The MBC then expressed condolences to Concepcion’s family, including his wife and his son, Presidential Adviser and Go-Negosyo founder Jose “Joey” Concepcion III.