Malacañang has expressed sympathies over the passing of the late Press Secretary and Manila Bulletin editor-in-chief and publisher Crispulo "Jun" Icban Jr.
Icban, a veteran journalist, passed away Monday, April 5. He was 85.

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"Nakikiramay kami sa pamilya at kasamahan at mahal sa buhay sa pagpanaw po ni dating Press Secretary, Manila Bulletin editor-in-chief at publisher at veteran journalist Crispulo 'Jun' Icban (We extend our condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones following the passing of former Press Secretary, Manila Bulletin editor-in-chief and publisher, and veteran journalist Crispulo ‘Jun' Icban)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, April 6.
Icban, a 1967 Nieman Fellow, was appointed Press Secretary by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in January 2010.
Icban, born on August 3, 1935 in Tondo, Manila, earned an English degree from the University of the Philippines where he was the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian. He held a master's degree in journalism at the Syracuse University, New York on Fulbright and Smith-Mundt grants.
He started his journalism career when he worked at the Manila Times in 1954 occupying various posts, including reporter and news editor. He moved to Manila Bulletin in 1974 and was appointed editor-in-chief in 2003.