Fernando Lopez (April 13, 1904—May 26, 1993) was a Filipino statesman and a Nacionalista. A member of the influential Lopez Family of Iloilo, Fernando Lopez served as Vice President for three terms, under President Elpidio Quirino (1949—1953) and Ferdinand Marcos (1965—1969 and 1969—1972).

Biography

Lopez was born on April 13, 1904 in Iloilo City, Iloilo to Benito Lopez and Presentacion Hofilena. The Lopez family was a rich and influencial family in the province.

Lopez studied high school at San Juan de Letran College, finishing in 1921. He then law in the University of Santo Tomas, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1925. After passing the bar examinations, he did not go into private practice but help his older brother manage the family business.

Lopez was one of the founders of Iloilo College and the FEATI University in Manila. The Lopez family also owned the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Company (the first Filipino owned air service), the Iloilo Times (El Tiempo) and the Manila Chronicle .

In 1945, with no prior political experience, Lopez was picked by President Sergio Osmeña to be mayor of Iloilo City. In 1947, he ran for Senator and won the election. In 1949, he became vice-president under President Elpidio Quirino and concurrently worked as secretary of agriculture, serving until 1953. He was then elected once again as Senator, and re-elected in 1959. In 1965, he ran with Ferdinand Marcos and won as vice-president. He was re-elected in 1969.

By the time martial law was declared in 1972, the Lopez family fell out of Marcos' favor and was targeted by the dictatorship because of their denunciations of Marcos' corruption. The position of vice-president was dissolved, and the Lopez family was stripped of most of its political and economic assets.

Fernando Lopez died on May 26, 1993 and leaving his wife Mariquit Javella with whom he had six children.

External link

• Senators of the Philippines - Fernando Lopez