Fernando Lopez

Fernando "Nanding" Hofileña Lopez Sr. (April 13, 1904 – May 26, 1993) was a Filipino statesman. A member of the influential López family of Iloilo, he served as vice president of the Philippines under Presidents Elpidio Quirino from 1949 to 1953 under the Liberal Party and Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 to 1972, under the Nacionalista Party. He was also the chairman of ABS-CBN Corporation from 1986 to his death in 1993.

Early life and career Lopez was born on April 13, 1904, in Jaro, Iloilo City to Benito Villanueva Lopez and Presentacion Javelona Hofileña. He was the younger brother and only sibling of Eugenio Lopez Sr. The Lopez family was the richest and most influential family in the province.

Lopez studied high school at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, finishing in 1921. He studied 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 helped his older brother manage the family business.

In 1945, with no prior political experience, Lopez was chosen by President Sergio Osmeña to be mayor of Iloilo City. In 1947, he ran for senator and won.

Lopez was one of the founders of University of Iloilo and the FEATI University in Manila.

The brothers Eugenio and Fernando owned the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Company (the first Filipino owned air service), the Iloilo Times (El Tiempo), the Manila Chronicle, and ABS-CBN Corporation.

Vice-presidency

First term (1949–1953)

In 1949, Lopez 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.

Second and third term (1965–1972)

Vice President Fernando Lopez with President Ferdinand Marcos at the Presidential study.

In 1965, Lopez ran with Ferdinand Marcos and won as vice president. He was re-elected in 1969, making him to date the only vice president to serve two non-consecutive terms, with two different presidents and from different parties. By the time martial law was declared in 1972, the Lopez family fell out of Marcos' favor and was targeted by the regime because of their denunciations of Marcos. The office of vice president was abolished, and the Lopez family was stripped of most of its political and economic assets.

Later life and death After the removal of Marcos from power as a result of the People Power Revolution of 1986, Lopez became chairman of FHL Investment Corporation and vice-chairman of First Philippine Holdings Corporation.

He died on May 26, 1993, a month after his 89th birthday, leaving behind his wife Mariquit Javellana with whom he had six children: Yolanda, Fernando Jr. (Junjie), Alberto (Albertito), Emmanuele, Benito and Mita. He was the longest living vice president until he was surpassed by Teofisto Guingona Jr. in 2017.

Electoral history

Honors and awards

45px: The Order of the Knights of Rizal, Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR).