Fernando Lopez

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

Early life and career

López was born on April 13, 1904 in Iloilo City, Iloilo to Benito López and Presentación Hofilena. The López family was the richest and influential family in the province.

López studied high school at San Juan de Letran College, finishing in 1921. He then 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, López was picked by President Sergio Osmeña to be mayor of Iloilo City. In 1947, he ran for Senator and won the election.

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

The López family also owned the Iloilo-Negros Air Express Company (the first Filipino owned air service), the Iloilo Times (El Tiempo), the Manila Chronicle and ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, LSC (Lopez Sugar Corporation), Bayantel (including Bayan DSL), SkyCable(including SkyBroadband), Meralco, , RLC (Rockwell Land Corporation), Rockwell Center, First Balfour, Inc., Philippine Electric Corporation (Philec),...
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