CLARK FREEPORT – President Aquino’s Tarlac home province is seen to still remain a Cojuangco “dynastocracy” in the 2016 elections, with a Cojuangco running against another Cojuangco in the gubernatorial polls.
But this political family feud could be pre-empted should “queen of all media” celebrity Kris Aquino, youngest sister of the President, finally decide to enter politics and run for Tarlac governor.
This scenario was aired to the Capampangans in Media, Inc. (CAMI) by a close politician- relative of the President who asked not to be named, saying that his early disclosure could affect family relationships this early.
The source said that without even a strong hint from Kris on her plans in the 2016 synchronized national and local elections, other members of the Cojuangco clan, which has dominated Tarlac politics from the early years of the 20th century, have been known to relatives as entertaining gubernatorial plans.
He said that Tarlac 1st District Rep. Enrique Cojuangco of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is believed to be eyeing the gubernatorial seat. Another Cojuangco, Dr. Isabel Cojuangco- Suntay, is also reportedly interested in the same position.
The source also cited supporters of former Tarlac Gov. Margarita“Tingting” Cojuangco that sheis again interested in running for governor in 2016. “But all of the gubernatorial plans of those in the Cojuangco clan would dissolve if Kris finally decides to enter politics via the governorship of Tarlac,” he said.
“Kris would be unbeatable. To run against her in Tarlac would be wishful thinking,” he said. The relative also said that Kris would be an asset as Tarlac governor because of her celebrity status. “She readily attracts advertisers and therefore, donors to provincial projects once she becomes governor,” he added.
He noted that whenever Kris distributes relief goods to flood victims in Tarlac, local folk come in droves just to see her. “But the amazing thing is that the victims are likewise flooded with relief goods that she advertises, too,” he added.
The beginnings of the Cojuangco family can be traced back to Hong Chian town in Tongan, now Xiamen province, China. Former Pres. Corazon Aquino’s great grandfather Co Yu Hwan, was the first generation of the Cojuangco clan that came to the Philippines in 1861, was converted to Catholicism and took the name Jose Cojuangco.
Jose married Filipina Antera Estrella and they settled in Malolos. They had three children namely, Isila born in 1867, Melecio born in 1871 and Chanita born in 1876. In 1896, the whole family transferred to Tarlac after Melecio married a Chinese mestiza Tiakla Chico in 1894 and they bore four boys, namely Jose, Jr. also known as Pepe (father of Cory Aquino), Juan, Antonio, and Eduardo.
Melecio entered politics as town president of Paniqui, Tarlac and was eventually elected as representative in the National Assembly in 1907. By the 1930s, the Cojuangcos were the biggest landowners in Central Luzon, as Hacienda Luisita came to their possession. In 1938, the Cojuangco, Jacinto, and Rufino families founded the Philippine Bank of Commerce, the first bank in the country wholly owned by Filipinos.
Apart from Melecio, former Pres. Cory Aquino, and her son current Pres. Aquino, other members of the Cojuangco clan also became prominent in politics and other realms of the government, among them Eduardo Cojuangco Sr., Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., Carlos Cojuangco, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, his wife Margarita Cojuangco, Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, Gilberto Cojuangco Teodoro Jr., and Miguel Cojuangco Rivilla.
