Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid on Tuesday condoled with the family of Tarlac Representative Carlos “Charlie” Cojuangco, who has passed away.

“Pinaaabot ko ang aking taos pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mahal sa buhay ni Tarlac Rep Carlos Charlie Cojuangco. Kasama ako sa mga nalulungkot at nabigla sa kanyang pagkawala (I’m extending my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Tarlac Rep Carlos Charlie Cojuangco. I am one of those who was saddened at his sudden death),” Lapid said in a statement.

“Iginugol nya ang kanyang buhay sa pagsisilbi sa kanyang mga kababayan sa Tarlac kaya alam kong marami ang nagmamahal sa kanya--mga kababayan nating natulungan nya sa maraming taon nyang serbisyo publiko (He spent his life serving our brethren in Tarlac that’s why I know a lot of people love him—people whom he was able to help during his years of public service),” he said.

Lapid said Cojuangco was more than just a partymate at the Nationalist People’s Coalition or NPC.

“Marami sa amin ang naging kaibigan ni Charlie. Baon namin ang matatamis na alaala sa tuwing kami ay mag-uusap at magkakasama (Many of us became friends with Charlien. We will forever remember those sweet moments everytime we are able to gather again and talk),” he added.

“Higit sa pagiging kapartido sa Nationalist People's Coalition o NPC, itinuturing kong kaibigan si Charlie. Salamat sa iyong serbisyo, kaibigan. (More than a partymate in the NPC, I consider Charlie as a friend. Thank you for your service, friend),”

Another partymate in the NPC, former senator and incumbent Sorsogon governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero and his wife, Heart Evangelista, also extended their condolences to the Cojuangco family.

“Ako at ang aking maybahay na si Heart Evangelista ay nagpapahatid ng tao-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga naulilang mga mahal sa buhay ni (Me and my wife Heart Evangelista extend our heartfelt condolonces to the family left behind by) Tarlac First District Rep. Charlie O. Cojuangco,” Escudero said in a separate statement.

Escudero, who is seeking a Senate comeback in the upcoming May 2022 elections, also said the whole province of Sorsogon is also mourning together with his constituents in Tarlac and Negros Occidental which Cojuangco also once served.

Like Lapid, Escudero said he reveres Cojuangco as sa true friend, having been colleagues in the House of Representatives for 6 years since 1998 until 2007 when he was still representative of the Fourth District of Negros Occidental.

“Mula noon ay marami na kaming pinagsamahan bilang kapwa mambabatas na nagsisilbi sa bayan at bilang magkaibigan. Nakakalungkot ang kanyang pagpanaw at kasama ako sa mga nagdarasal para sa kapayapaan ng kanyang kaluluwa (Since then we’ve been through a lot as fellow lawmakers serving the nation and as friends. It’s sad to hear of his death and I am one of those praying for his soul),” Escudero stressed.