MANILA – Fidel Valdez Ramos, former soldier and the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines, passed away at the age of 94, his family confirmed in a statement last night.
The Ramos family did not announce the reason for the former President’s passing but according to some reports, he succumbed to complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“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 statement read.
Ramos served as the country’s Chief Executive from 1992 to 1998. His administration was said to be the driving force behind the renewed confidence of investors in the Philippines, which was then recognized as a budding “tiger economy.”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in a Twitter post on Sunday evening, expressed his condolence 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,” Marcos said.
“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. I call on all Filipinos to pray for the eternal repose of Mr. Ramos,” he added.
“The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation,” the Chief Executive further said.
Ramos was born March 18, 1928, in Lingayen, Pangasinan. He obtained a civil engineering degree from the National University before studying at the United States Military Academy, where he graduated with a degree in military engineering.
Upon his return to the Philippines, Ramos served in the Korean War as part of the 20th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). He was head of the Philippine Constabulary from 1972 until 1986.
Ramos then became the chief of the Philippine Constabulary and then Vice Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
During the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Ramos was considered a hero when he broke away from the administration of President Marcos and aligned himself with the newly established government of then President Corazon Aquino.
Ramos was appointed as the Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the early years of the Aquino administration before being tapped as the secretary of the Department of National Defense./PN
