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| Former PSC chief Popoy Juico passed away nearly two months before turning 79. PSL (file photo) |
MANILA—The Philippine sports community bid goodbye to one of its modern-day pillars, Popoy Juico.
Juico's son Vince confirmed early Sunday that Juico, once the Philippine Sports Commission chairman, died the night before at 78, over a month before he would have turned 79.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my father, Philip 'Popoy' Juico, who passed away yesterday evening at 8:18 p.m. at the Makati Medical Center,” said the younger Juico, currently a columnist for Business Mirror.
Popoy Juico took over PSC leadership late in Fidel Ramos's presidency, and he eventually led the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association in 2015.
It was under Juico's leadership at PATAFA that EJ Obiena began his rise to becoming Asia's number one pole vaulter.
However, a dispute between them eventually led to the resignation of Juico as the athletics chief.
He also served as the chairman of the defunct club volleyball league PSL.
Before getting huge sports leadership roles, the La Salle alumnus first made his mark in the environment and agricultural sector.
Juico first became an undersecretary of the DENR and an assistant secretary for the Department of Agriculture early in Cory Aquino's presidency.
Aquino later assigned Juico as secretary for agrarian reform, serving for two years from 1987-1989.
Juico was survived by his wife, Margarita, and their four offspring, including Vince and current Quezon City 1st District councilor Mayen.
