Manny Lopez (legislator)

For the political activist and 2022 Philippine vice presidential candidate, see Manny SD Lopez.
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tantoco and the surname or paternal family name is Lopez.
The Honorable
Manny Lopez
Official portrait during the 18th Congress
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Manila's 1st district
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byBenjamin Asilo
Succeeded byErnesto Dionisio Jr.
President of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines
In office
1993–2009
Personal details
Born (1961-08-18) August 18, 1961 (age 63)
Quezon City, Philippines
Political partyPDP–Laban (2021–present)
Asenso Manileño (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations		NPC (2015–2021)
Parent
Relatives
OccupationPolitician

Manuel Luis "Manny" Tantoco Lopez (born August 18, 1961) is a Filipino politician and former sports executive who is the former Representative from Manila's 1st congressional district, which comprises the western side of Tondo, the largest of the city's sixteen districts.

Early life and education

Lopez is the son of former Manila mayor Mel Lopez, who served in the role from 1986 to 1992, with businesswoman and entrepreneur Concepcion Tantoco. Manny was already a congressman when he confirmed his father's death in 2017.[1]

Carlo Lopez, the former congressman from the neighboring 2nd district, is his cousin.[2]

Sports administration career

Prior to entering politics, Lopez was a sports executive. Following the appointment of his father as the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission in 1993, the younger Lopez succeeded him as the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, a position he served until 2009. During his term, amateur boxer Onyok Velasco won a silver medal for the Philippines at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States, in the light flyweight division. The Philippines also won five gold medals at the Asian Games within that period.[3]

Lopez later served as the first vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). He was the chef de mission of the country's delegation to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.[4] As the POC's vice president, he criticized the lack of autonomy given to national sports associations under the presidency of Peping Cojuangco.[5] This was his proposition for his unsuccessful re-election bid in November 2012, losing the position to Joey Romasanta.[6] Lopez was also the secretary general of the Philippine Handball Federation.[7]

Political career

Lopez was elected as representative of Manila's 1st district in 2016 House of Representatives election as a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). He successfully defended his seat in 2019 for his second term.[8] A defeated candidate, former congressman Benjamin Asilo, protested Lopez's victory at the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. In late 2020, the tribunal dismissed Asilo's protest, which it said was done on a "gut feel," confirming Lopez's victory.[9]

For the 2022 mayoral election, the Alfonso Cusi-led faction of the ruling party PDP–Laban endorsed him as their nominee.[10] Lopez was subsequently endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte.[11] The mayoral election was then seen as a race between Lopez and current vice mayor Honey Lacuna, but Lopez withdrew and decided to defend his congressional seat for a third and final consecutive term instead.[12] His brother, lawyer Alex Lopez, ran in his stead.[13] However, he lost the congressional race to former councilor Ernix Dionisio of Asenso Manileño. He will seek a comeback to the same post in 2025, this time under Asenso Manileño, notably against Dionisio.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Former Manila mayor Mel Lopez dies at 81". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "EX-CONG LOPEZ RUMESBAK SA DATING MANILA COUNCILOR". SAKSI NGAYON. July 15, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Ramos, Gerry (January 2, 2017). "Former PSC chairman and boxing chief Mel Lopez passes away on New Year's day". SPIN.ph. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Melendres, Ted (August 12, 2012). "Greater priority for sports–Lopez". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Respect NSAs full autonomy – Lopez". The Philippine Star. November 21, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2022 – via ABS-CBN News.
  6. ^ "Reform-focused group challenges Cojuangco in POC elections". Rappler. October 25, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Henson, Joaquin (November 13, 2012). "Handball offers new lease on life". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  8. ^ "Estradas, Binays, Eusebios fall, but more old names still dominate politics in Metro Manila". ABS-CBN News. May 19, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "HRET junks poll protest vs Manila congressman Manny Lopez". Rappler. November 5, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "PDP-Laban's Cusi faction endorses Lopez for Manila mayor". ABS-CBN News. September 2, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  11. ^ Punay, Edu. "Duterte endorses lawmaker as Manila mayoral bet". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin. "Lopez backs out of Manila mayoral race". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  13. ^ Maderazo, Jake J. (November 23, 2021). "Lacuna vs Lopez showdown looms in Manila". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Patinio, Ferdinand (September 27, 2024). "Lacuna, Servo to seek reelection under Asenso Manileño". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 28, 2024.