Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed hope that everyone will be inspired by the commitment of the late Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez to public service.
Andanar made the statement following Jimenez's passing due to an aortic aneurysm on Friday evening.
In his statement, Andanar expressed his sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of the late PACC chairman, noting that Jimenez's death is a loss to the government's programs.
" conviction and dedication in fighting criminality and corruption in the country have been outstanding, apparent, and instrumental in the Duterte administration’s management and enforcement of our anti-corruption and anti-illegal drugs campaigns," he said.
"He will be missed by those in the government and civil society. His death is a loss in our crusade against crime and corruption," he added.
The Palace official hoped that people will be inspired by Jimenez's commitment to fighting for a crime- and a corruption-free Philippines.
"May his deep commitment to upholding social justice, accountability, and transparency in governance inspire everyone, especially the people who will succeed him in his posts, for the welfare and progress of our nation," Andanar said.
"We pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and for his family and loved ones to find strength in this time of grief," he continued.
A friend
Meanwhile, PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica, in a Facebook post, paid tribute to Jimenez whom he called a friend and a colleague.
"We honor the valuable and immense work he did in the fight against injustice and corruption," he said.
"With profound admiration and affection, we convey our heartfelt sympathy to the family. May he rest in peace," he added.
Jimenez was appointed by President Duterte to head the PACC in January 2018. The PACC investigates and hears administrative cases of graft and corruption.
He likewise served as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), a post briefly held by Vice President Leni Robredo in 2019.
Prior to his stint in government, Jimenez founded the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), an advocacy group, in 1998.