Opening opportunities for Pinoys is Cojuangco's legacy —senators

Several senators on Wednesday expressed condolences to the bereaved loved ones of political kingmaker and tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. as they remembered his legacies throughout the years.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the success of the 85-year-old founder of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) transcended the lives of those whom he led.

"Danding Cojuangco was a force of nature and his passing is a huge, huge loss—to the world of business, to the world of politics, even to the world of sports," Zubiri said in a statement.

"He has done so much. In the political arena, of course, but especially in business. He took San Miguel to such great heights, and opened up employment opportunities to tens of thousands of Filipinos across the nation," he added.

Zubiri said Cojuangco was even hailed the "godfather" of Philippine basketball as he nurtured the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and Magnolia Hotshots teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

"His success with San Miguel has pervaded even our cultural landscape, extending into the world of sports—I can hardly imagine what the PBA would be like without his support," he said.

Senator Grace Poe, who gained political support from the NPC during her independent presidential bid in 2016, also expressed words of admiration for Cojuangco.

"Mr. Danding Cojuangco always looked for ways to empower communities. He opened up opportunities for pervasive success as he believed deeply in the capabilities of Filipinos," she said.

"We are saddened by his passing, but we celebrate a legacy, too, of the man behind iconic Filipino brands who in so many ways gave his share to make our country better," she added.

For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto recognized Cojuangco's heart at the core of San Miguel Corporation's COVID-19 response interventions.

"SMC’s decision to give more than P1 billion in the national pandemic fight, in ways longer than its product catalogue, was the corporate implementation of Danding’s philosophy to help the needy," Recto said.

"It was this trademark of giving which drove SMC to donate gas to frontliners; to let aid trucks travel on its tollways for free; to stock community kitchens with chicken, meat products, flour; to equip hospitals with testing machines and ventilators; to flood clinics with disinfectant and alcohol; to dispatch its planes all over Asia in search of supplies; and to keep its payroll intact despite the plunge in sales," he added.

Senator Joel Villanueva also said Cojuangco pursued his vision for a better Philippines through public service.

"While his demise leaves a void, his legacy will live on through the NPC and the dozens of organizations he formed in his lifetime. We offer our prayers and support to his bereaved family," he said.

Senator Sonny Angara said that while Cojuangco's works in politics and business are public, the latter never bragged about his "charitable acts, unsolicited, done sans fanfare, and many anonymously."

"He was a practitioner of retail altruism and direct assistance to the down and out. The financials of his companies are meticulously recorded, but he kept no accounting  of the help he extended to the needy, especially from the provinces close to his heart," Angara said.

"These were sick people hospitalized, bright young people sent to college, OFWs in distress helped, small businessmen extended  loans, and many more," he added.

Senator Richard Gordon said he is honored to know Cojuangco as he lauded the tycoon for believing in the potential of the Philippines.

"Instead of investing abroad, he put his money here in the country that’s why his companies have helped provide jobs to many Filipinos", he said.

"He is a good man and his love and enthusiasm [for] sports also greatly contributed to Philippine basketball and the Philippine sports as a whole," he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, as well as Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Lito Lapid—all members of the NPC—earlier extended their sympathies over the death of a mentor and friend.

Cojuangco died less than a week after his 85th birthday. His demise was announced by San Miguel Corporation on Wednesday morning.—AOL/LDF, GMA News