President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared 31 July to 9 August as national days of mourning for former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The Office of the President on Monday released Proclamation 33 to honor Ramos for 10 days.
“I, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare 31 July 2022 to 9 August 2022 as a Period of National Mourning over the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos,” the proclamation read.
“The national flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset, on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad, for a period of 10 days,” it further read.
Under the proclamation, the President recognizes that “the death of Fidel V. Ramos, the twelfth President of the Philippines is a great loss to our country and the Filipino people.”
Aside from being President from 1992 to 1998, Ramos served as the Secretary of National Defense from 1988 to 1991, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1986 to 1988, and Chief of the Philippine Constabulary from 1972 to 1986.
“It is fitting to devote a period of national mourning to pay tribute to an esteemed leader who has dedicated his life to public service and has left a lasting mark on our country,” the proclamation read.
Senate honors former President
Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Joel Villanueva have filed separate resolutions honoring Fidel V. Ramos, the 94-year-old former president who passed away on Sunday.
Zubiri filed Senate Resolution 72, expresses the Senate’s profound sympathy and sincere condolences on the death of Ramos,” his resolution.
He described Ramos as “a gallant, dutiful, and decorated soldier” who joined the Korean War in 1952 as an infantry reconnaissance platoon leader with the 20th Battalion Combat Team and the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.
The Senate chief also acknowledged the achievements of Ramos as the country’s 12th Chief Executive from 1992 to 1998.
“Fidel Valdez Ramos’s administration is known for the program, Philippines 2000, which envisioned the country to be newly industrialized by the year 2000; for instituting economic reforms which drove investments in the country to surge; and for navigating the Philippine economy during the 1997 East Asia Financial Crisis steering our country’s recovery efforts and turning the Sick Man of Asia into Asia’s Next Tiger Economy,” the resolution read.
In his Senate Resolution 73, Villanueva credited the Ramos administration’s Social Reform Agenda.
“President Ramos backed numerous legislations, such as the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, Indigenous People’s Rights Act, Anti-Squatting Law Repeal Act of 1997, and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, among others,” the document read.
The lawmaker also honored Ramos for being a “champion of education reforms.
“During his term, the Higher Education Act of 1994 was passed into law, as part of a broad agenda of reforms in the education sector into three governing bodies, with the Commission on Higher Education as in-charge of matters related to tertiary education,” Villanueva said.
A day after Ramos’ untimely death, Philippine flags were flown in half-mast in government facilities.
PDP Laban: A great loss
The PDP Laban has joined the nation in mourning the passing of Ramos whom it recognizes as a man of courage and an icon of democracy.
“His death is truly a great loss for all Filipinos, but his legacy would live on for all of us and our country. He was an adviser and mentor to many of our leaders providing great insights on peace, economy, and good governance,” the party said.
PDP Laban said it will not forget that Ramos brought back the spirit of confidence and pride in being a Filipino through his leadership and vision of making the country world-class and globally competitive.
“And until now, his message of unity, solidarity and teamwork for a sustainable and prosperous Philippine economy continues to resonate. He will always be remembered as a nation-builder, peacemaker and reformer,” the party concluded.
DFA: FVR a visionary
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) paid tribute to former President Fidel V. Ramos for raising the profile of the Philippines in the region and globally.
“His visits to foreign countries during his six-year term focused on the post-Cold War opportunities offered in multilateral and economic diplomacy,” the DFA said.
The DFA also said the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, which established greater standards of protection and promoted the welfare of migrant Filipino workers, their families, and distressed Filipinos overseas, is another important legacy of the Ramos Administration.
“The DFA will always be grateful for his visionary leadership and contributions to Philippine foreign policy,” it said.
AFP sets ‘final salute’
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to carry on with Ramos’ legacy by upholding his commitment to public service and peace.
“We shall honor his passion and exemplary commitment to public service and continue to carry on his aspiration for a just and lasting peace in our country,” AFP acting spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement Sunday night.
He added that Ramos positive outlook and peace advocacy will always be remembered by the Filipino people.
The Philippine flag at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City was flown in half-mast during Monday’s flag-raising rites.
AFP officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resources wore black bands to commiserate with the passing of the former commander-in-chief.
The AFP also honored the former president with an eight-gun salute which started around 5 a.m.
This will be followed by one-gun salute every 30 minutes with the last one being given at 5 p.m.
A 21-gun salute will also be provided upon Ramos’ interment.
Icon of good governance
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also paid tribute to the former president’s legacy of good governance.
“FVR’s legacy of good governance will serve as a beacon of inspiration as we altogether aim to deliver the highest quality of public service to the people we serve,” Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said in a statement.
Abalos added that the DILG and its attached agencies offer prayers and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, loved ones, and supporters of Ramos, whom he described as a leader “who have left an imprint of good public service within the walls and history of our nation.”
Taguig thanks Ramos
Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano thanked Ramos for privatizing Fort Bonifacio, now known as the Bonifacio Global City.
“President Fidel Valdez Ramos conceptualized the privatization of military bases that planted the seed for Taguig, particularly Fort Bonifacio, to become a financial district. The development of Fort Bonifacio allowed our city to offer scholarships and vital social services to our constituents,” she said.
GAB HUMILDE VILLEGAS, LADE KABAGANI AND ALVIN MURCIA
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