Jaime "Jimmy" V. Ongpin (Manila, June 15, 1938 - December 7, 1987) was a Philippine businessman and minister. He was a distinguished critic of President Ferdinand Marcos and Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of his successor Corazon Aquino. biography
Jaime Ongpin was born on June 15, 1938, in the Philippine capital of Manila. He was the younger brother of Roberto Ongpin, the later Minister of Trade and Industry in the Cabinet of Ferdinand Marcos. He studied at Ateneo de Manila University, where he obtained his degree in 1958. Then he continued to Harvard in the United States. In 1962, he obtained his Master's degree in Business Administration.
He began his career as marketing manager of the Filipino daughter of Proctor and Gamble. After obtaining his Harvard diploma, he worked at Benguet Corporation, one of the Philippines's largest mining companies. In 1974, Ongpin was appointed CEO of the company. In the early 80's, he expressed particular criticism of Sitting President Ferdinand Marcos, and began to actively deploy Corazon Aquino, widow of murdered opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., who was seen as a suitable candidate for the success of Marcos . Because the Benguet Coorporation was in Marcos's hands, this was not without risks at Ongping. He was an active member of the Makati Business Club at that time, and at a time when Marcos had the full control of the press for the promotion of alternative research journalism.
Following the fall of Marcos by the EDSA Revolution in February 1986, Aquin was appointed Finance Minister for Finance. As a minister, he did not love himself by his controversial economic policy and his refusal to conclude compromises regarding the payment of the international debt of the Philippines. Following a military coup trial led by Gregorio Honasan in 1987, Aquino forced herself to adjust her cabinet to meet the growing resistance of right-wing critics and large sections of the Philippine army. On September 16, 1987, Ongpin was fired.
A few months later, on December 8, 1987, Ongpin was found dead with a bullet wound in his judge and a gun in his right hand. Although some doubted it, suicide was called by the police as the official cause of death.
In memory of Ongpin, the Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Research Journalism were set. Ongpin was married to Maria Isabel Garcia and got her three sons and two daughters.
wiki
