President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. mourns the passing away of his uncle, former President Fidel V. Ramos who died Sunday, July 31.
In his official Facebook page, Marcos offered condolences to the Ramos family. “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos who passed away today, having lived a full life as a military officer and public servant,” he said.
Ramos was the second cousin of Marcos’ father, the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. whose paternal grandfather, Fabian Marcos, and Ramos’ maternal grandmother, Crispina Marcos-Valdez, were siblings.
“Our family shares the Filipino people’s grief on this sad day. We did not only lose a good leader but also a member of the family,” he added.
The President enjoined all Filipinos to pray for the eternal repose of Ramos.
“The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation,” he said. His statement came after the Ramos family confirmed the former president’s passing.
“The Ramos family is profoundly saddened to announce the passing of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos. We thank you all for respecting our privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together,” the Ramos family said in a statement.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte also expressed his profound sadness over on Ramos’ passing. “I am one with his wife, Ming, his family, his friends, and the entire Filipino people in mourning the death of a great statesman, mentor, and friend,” he said in a statement.
“As we grieve his loss, let us honor his legacy of service and his significant contributions to the country. May God grant eternal repose on his soul and give strength and solace to all of his bereaved,” he added.
Ramos briefly served as special envoy to China during the first year of the Duterte administration in 2016. Before he became President, he served as chief of the Philippine Constabulary, then as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Secretary of the National Defense.
Popularly known as “FVR”, he was born in Lingayen, Pangasinan on March 18, 1928. He became the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998.
The wake and funeral arrangements for the former Chief Executive have yet to be announced.