{{Short description|Filipino politician and businessman (born 1951)}} {{Philippine name|Morales|Javier}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Sandy Javier | image = Sandy Javier COC 2025.jpg | caption = Javier's certificate of candidacy photo in 2024 | office = Vice Governor of Leyte | term_start = June 30, 2022 | governor = Jericho Petilla | predecessor = Carlo Loreto | office1 = Mayor of Javier | term_start1 = June 30, 2010 | term_end1 = June 30, 2019 | predecessor1 = Leni Cua | successor1 = Michael Javier | birth_name = Leonardo Morales Javier Jr. | birth_place = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|01|28}} | occupation = Businessman, Politician | party = NPC (2024–present) | other_party = PDP (2021–2024)<br>Liberal (2009–2021) | relatives = Danny Javier (brother), George Javier (brother), Jimmy Javier (brother) | spouse = Lolita Tañala | children = Jassie Lou (son), Michael Dragon (son), Maverick (son), Mica Javier (daughter) | module = {{Infobox horseracing personality | embed=yes | occupation = Horse breeder and owner | career winnings = | career wins = | race = | awards = PSA Horse Owner of the Year (2024) | honors = <!--or |honours= --> | memorials = | horses = Wind Blown | website = | module = }} }} '''Leonardo "Sandy" Morales Javier Jr.''' is a Filipino politician, businessman, and Thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner. He has served as the vice governor of Leyte since 2022 and is also the owner of Andok's, a roasted chicken chain.
==Early life and education== Leonardo "Sandy" Morales Javier Jr. was born on January 28, 1951.<ref name=rappler-prof>{{cite web |title=Leonardo Morales Javier Jr. |url=https://www.rappler.com/people/p02190187-leonardo-morales-javier-jr/ |website=Rappler |access-date=29 July 2025 |date=27 July 2025}}</ref> He is the eldest of five children of Leonardo "Andok" Javier Sr., who was an engineer. Sandy Javier graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University.<ref name=feature>{{cite news |last1=Jimenea |first1=Lalaine |title=Feature from cents to millions |url=https://www.philstar.com/region/2011/09/03/723016/feature-cents-millions |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |date=3 September 2011}}</ref>
In his 30s, Javier traveled to Japan, where he worked various odd jobs. He has also recounted earning money by allowing members of the Yakuza to slap him. He subsequently moved to Germany as an undocumented worker, where he lived with an American and worked as a television repairman. He returned to the Philippines after learning that his father was gravely ill.<ref name=feature/>
==Political career== ===Mayor of Javier=== Sandy Javier was a previous mayor of the municipality of Javier, Leyte.<ref name="wife">{{cite news |last1=Meniano |first1=Sarwell |title=Wife of Andok's owner joins Leyte's congressional bid |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051344 |access-date=29 July 2025 |agency=Philippine News Agency |date=17 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He was elected as mayor in 2010 ending the Cua family's control over the town. Javier succeeded Joel Cua.<ref name="newfaces">{{cite web |last1=Tumandao |first1=Donabel |title=New faces that look familiar: Local Politics in Leyte Province |url=https://halalan.up.edu.ph/new-faces-that-look-familiar-local-politics-in-leyte-province |website=UP sa Halalan |access-date=29 July 2025 |date=20 October 2023}}</ref> His son Michael Dragon was elected as vice mayor, marking the younger Javier's debut in politics.<ref name="newfaces"/>
Sandy Javier has also served as president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.<ref name="wife"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Aquino to mayors: Make reform programs permanent |url=https://politiko.com.ph/2015/04/15/aquino-to-mayors-make-reform-programs-permanent/features |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Politiko |date=15 April 2015}}</ref>
===Vice Governor of Leyte=== Sandy Javier was elected as the vice governor of Leyte during the 2022 election.<ref name="newfaces"/><ref name="reelected">{{cite news |last1=Marticio |first1=Marie Tonette |title=Gov. Petilla of Leyte reelected |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/14/gov-petilla-of-leyte-reelected |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=14 May 2025}}</ref> He ran unopposed for a new term in the 2025 election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Petilla, other Leyte officials proclaimed; vow to fulfill fresh mandates |url=https://www.leytesamardailynews.com/petilla-other-leyte-officials-proclaimed-vow-to-fulfill-fresh-mandates |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Leyte Samar Daily News |date=19 May 2025}}</ref>
==Business career== Javier is the owner of the rotisserie chain Andok's.<ref name="wife"/> He started the business before entering politics and named it after his father.<ref name=feature/>
==Horseracing career== Sandy Javier is involved in the horse racing scene in the Philippines. He owns several horses such as Presidential Gold Cup champions Strong Material, Wind Blown, Empire King, Magna Carta, and Super Sonic.<ref name="lends">{{cite news |title=Javier lends hand to new racetrack |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/02/10/2332314/javier-lends-hand-new-racetrack |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |date=10 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="previous">{{cite news |title=Previous winners: Presidential Gold Cup |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xJkVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4904%2C1828129 |access-date=27 July 2025 |work=Manila Standard |date=16 December 2001 |page=10}}</ref><ref name="supersonic">{{cite news |title=Super Sonic wins PCSO Gold Cup |url=https://manilastandard.net/?p=315042 |access-date=28 July 2025 |work=Manila Standard |date=16 January 2020}}</ref>
Javier had been breeding horses at the Royal Maverick Ranch in Rosario, Batangas since at least 1995.<ref name=wiseinvestment>{{cite news |last1=Mendez |first1=Carlo |title=Another wise investment |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2BcbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5EoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3825%2C2844868 |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Manila Standard |date=28 July 2002 |page=A11}}</ref> This includes Strong Material and Wind Blown.<ref name=wiseinvestment/> The latter horse is a two-time Gold Cup champion.<ref name="latest">{{cite news |last1=Iñigo |first1=Manolo |title=What's the latest on super horse Wind Blown |access-date=29 July 2025 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UlY1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=ciUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1368%2C46239938 |page=A31}}</ref>
Javier was recognized as the Horse Owner of the Year at the 2024 PSA Annual Awards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malanum |first1=Jean |title=Javier feted at 2024 PSA Awards |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218032 |access-date=29 July 2025 |agency=Philippine News Agency |date=31 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life== Javier is married to Lolita Tañala<ref name="wife"/><ref name=rappler-prof/> He is part of a political family with his wife Tañala having served as a member of the Houses of the Representatives for Leyte's 2nd district. His son, Jassie Lou has served as mayor of Jaro and his other son, Michael Dragon is mayor of Javier municipality.<ref name="reelected"/> His daughter, Mica Javier is a singer and actress.
Sandy Javier's brothers include comedian George Javier and singer Danny Javier, a member of the Apo Hiking Society.<ref name=feature/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Javier, Sandy}} Category:1951 births Category:Filipino racehorse owners and breeders Category:Living people Category:Ateneo de Manila University alumni Category:Mayors of places in Leyte (province) Category:Politicians from Leyte (province) Category:20th-century Filipino businesspeople Category:21st-century Filipino businesspeople Category:Partido Demokratiko Pilipino politicians Category:Nationalist People's Coalition politicians Category:Provincial vice governors of the Philippines