By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Communication Secretary Martin Andanar said the contributions in film and politics of the late Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. will be remembered as he mourned the passing of the original owner of the 'Agimat'.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN
"We extend our deepest condolences to Senator Bong Revilla and the entire Revilla family for the passing of former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. at the age of 93," Andanar wrote in his statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. And we pray for the eternal repose of the soul of their patriarch," he added.
Andanar described the late icon as a pillar of the Philippine movie industry and the Father of the Public Works Act.
"His contributions will be remembered by people as among those who paved the way for movie and public works industries’ continued growth and development," he said.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has offered Malacañang's sympathies following the passing of the former senator.
“We share the grief of the Revilla clan and as tributes pour to honor the life and legacy of this respected movie icon and public servant, we pray that the Almighty grant Mr. Revilla eternal repose,” Roque said.
On Friday, Revilla's namesake son Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. announced that the family patriarch "succumbed to heart failure" at 5:20 p.m., nearly two months after the former senator was brought to the hospital due to breathing problems.
Revilla Sr., who was known as "Hari ng mga Agimat" or the King of Amulets in Philippine showbiz, first suffered a stroke and underwent angioplasty in 2008.
He entered politics in 1992 after winning a Senate seat. His two terms ended in 2004.
Read more: Ex-senator Ramon Revilla Sr. succumbs to heart failure