Malacañang has extended its condolences to the family of former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Wencelito "Wency" Andanar who succumbed to liver cancer on Thursday.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed that his father passed away at 7:50 a.m. on April 22 at the Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center at the age of 73.
In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said the Palace was one with the Andanar family in mourning the death of their patriarch who also served as President Duterte's Special Envoy to Malaysia.
"Nakikiramay po kami sa pamilya, katrabaho, kasamahan sa pagkamatay ni (We extend our condolences to the family, workmates, and colleagues of) former DILG Undersecretary and Special Envoy of the President to Malaysia, Atty. Wencelito "Wency" Andanar," he said.
"May God warmly embrace Mr. Wency Andanar as He welcomes him to His eternal kingdom in heaven. Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers to the family," he added.
Wencelito Andanar served as OIC Governor of Surigao del Norte from 1986 to 1988. Consequently, he served as the Chairman of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) until 1992.
During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, the late Andanar was appointed as Presidential Assistant from 1989 to 1992. He was also appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government from 2001 to 2007.
In 2018, he was appointed as the Special Envoy of President Duterte to Malaysia. He bridged the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to the global market. Despite the pandemic, he was able to continue to work with the Malaysian government and assist in the repatriation efforts for overseas Filipinos.