NAIA brawl: Cojuangco son vs Negros lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - A son of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and an incumbent congressman from Negros Occidental reportedly figured in a brawl at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Thursday morning.

Carlos Cojuangco, a former congressman of Negros Occidental’s fourth district, allegedly saw incumbent Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, of the same district, at NAIA’s departure area and went out of his way to greet him, according to former Pulupandan, Negros Occidental mayor Magdaleno Peña.

Peña, a relative of Cojuangco, said in a press statement Friday he was informed that the altercation started when Ferrer only grunted at the former congressman despite his gesture.

Both camps refused to comment on the incident.

Ferrer’s name was on the manifest of PAL Express flight PR 903, which left NAIA Terminal 2 for Bacolod at around 8:20 a.m. Thursday. Cojuangco’s name was not on the manifest.

Peña suggested that the two men face each other in a friendly “pay-per-view” boxing match at the Bago City gymnasium, with proceeds from the fight to be given to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Arrogant?

According to other reports, after Cojuangco greeted Ferrer, the two men shook hands and Cojuangco asked Ferrer how he was. The incumbent lawmaker said he was okay.

Cojuangco then allegedly commented in a loud voice, “Okay lang, ha.” He walked away, then returned and reportedly told Ferrer, “Ang yabang mo (You are arrogant).”

Cojuangco then reportedly hit Ferrer on the forehead with his boarding pass, to which Ferrer allegedly responded by punching the other man in the shoulder.

Cojuangco and Ferrer reportedly continued to argue while they were walking through the passenger tube to enter the plane. They found out that they would be seated on the same row, only a seat apart. By then, the two had reportedly calmed down.

The altercation was allegedly witnessed by former congresswoman Edith Villanueva of Negros Occidental’s third district, reports added.

Cojuangco’s home is in Hacienda Balbina in Pontevedra while Ferrer’s home is in La Carlota. Both Pontevedra and La Carlota belong to Negros Occidental’s fourth district.

The two were former allies in the Nationalist People’s Coalition founded by Eduardo Cojaungco Jr., but reportedly cut ties when Ferrer supported Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. in his re-election bid in the May 2013 elections. Eduardo backed Marañon’s challenger, then vice governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. – With Rudy Santos